The United States has deployed two warships and more than 3,000 sailors and marines in the Red Sea. Which is Washington’s response to threats posed by Iran.
According to Arab News, the Pentagon says that Iran has either seized or attempted to seize about 20 international-flagged ships in the region over the past two years.
The U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain said new U.S. forces have arrived aboard the USS Bataan and USS Carter Hall warships, giving the fleet greater flexibility and seaworthiness.
Spokesman Tim Hawkins said the deployment is an effort to curb destabilising activities and de-escalate regional tensions stemming from Iranian harassment and the seizure of commercial vessels.
The Bataan is a ship that can carry fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and landing craft. While the Carter Hall carries Marines and their supplies and disembarks them ashore.
The latest deployment comes after US forces thwarted two attempts by Iran to seize commercial tankers in Oman’s international waters on July 5. Tehran says a tanker (the Bahamian-flagged Richmond Voyager) collided with an Iranian ship, injuring five crew members.
Iran seized two oil tankers
In April and early May, Iran seized two oil tankers within a week in territorial waters. The incidents came after Israel and the US blamed Iran for a drone attack. On a tanker operated by an Israeli-owned company off the coast of Oman in November.
The US said last month it would deploy a destroyer, F-35 and F-16 fighter jets. And a maritime expeditionary unit to the Middle East to prevent Iran from seizing shipping in the Gulf.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Nasir Kanani, has said that the US deployment only serves Washington’s interests. The US government’s military presence in the region has never led to security. Their interests in the region have always fueled instability and insecurity.
He added that the Gulf countries are capable of ensuring their security.
