Public signals are not simply movements of troops; they serve as visible indicators of a country’s military capability and resolve. The United States’ ability to prepare quickly and respond to threats promptly (readiness), the distance at which the U.S. military can deploy and employ military capabilities (reach), the logistical superiority of the U.S. military relative to many adversaries (logistical superiority), and the ability of the U.S. military to rapidly deploy and employ military capabilities across long distances (ability to project force) are all represented. Conversely, Iran’s rhetoric frames the U.S. demonstration of military capability in terms of vulnerability and the potential consequences of that demonstration. Both Washington and Tehran continue to communicate their resolve through public displays of military capability and rhetorical warnings. As such, the current dynamic of U.S. naval activities and Iranian military signaling serves as a model of how public displays of military capability.