The strategic equation reversed: if Iran fired, its missile batteries would be destroyed within minutes—Russian bombers overhead notwithstanding.
By 15:31, the Tu-160s initiated a gradual northward departure, climbing in alтιтude and exiting the immediate crisis zone. Iranian missile batteries powered down active radar emissions. Fast attack craft completed their return to port.
At 16:34, the final Iranian vessel crossed back into territorial waters. The confrontation had lasted three hours and fifty-two minutes.
No sH๏τs were fired in anger. No casualties were reported. Yet the implications were profound.
