Amid mounting tensions, the US Navy has dispatched over 3,000 military personnel to the Red Sea aboard two warships, responding to Iran’s alleged seizures of civilian ships. This move amplifies the US military’s presence in vital Gulf waterways that facilitate global oil trade. The US Fifth Fleet has confirmed this deployment, utilizing the USS Bataan and USS Carter Hall warships, to bolster maritime capabilities and flexibility.
The sailors and marines embarked on this mission after traversing the Suez Canal, entering the Red Sea and sparking discussions about regional stability. Iran swiftly criticized the US, accusing it of exacerbating the situation and serving its own interests rather than contributing to enhanced security.
The overarching goal of this deployment is to counter Iran’s perceived destabilizing actions and reduce tensions arising from merchant vessel harassment and seizures. Commander Tim Hawkins, the spokesperson for the Fifth Fleet, underscored that Iran has made nearly 20 attempts to commandeer internationally-flagged ships in the region within the past two years.
The USS Bataan, renowned as an amphibious assault ship equipped for aircraft and landing craft transportation, and the USS Carter Hall, a dock landing ship facilitating the movement of Marines and their equipment to onshore locations, are spearheading this deployment.
This response follows recent incidents where US forces thwarted Iranian endeavors to seize commercial tankers in international waters near Oman. In retaliation, Iran contended that a collision occurred between an Iranian vessel and one of the tankers, leading to injuries. This fresh deployment is part of a larger US strategy, encompassing the dispatch of warplanes, destroyers, and maritime units, all aimed at deterring Iran from engaging in ship seizures within the Gulf region.
In a bid to counter US measures, Iran disclosed its intentions to equip its Revolutionary Guard’s navy with long-range missiles and drones. Brigadier-General Abolfazl Shekarchi of Iran’s armed forces criticized the presence of the US in the region, questioning its role in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Indian Ocean. The situation remains fluid, with heightened military activity underscoring the complexities and tensions in the region.