The United States will send thousands of Marines to the Strait of Hormuz amid mounting attacks on merchant shipping by Iran, the Pentagon said Thursday.
The announcement follows the recent deployment of a fleet of F-16 and F-35 fighter jets and the guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hadner to the region after Iranian naval vessels attempted to seize an internationally flagged commercial tanker and bombard the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). Said in a press release. Now, by order of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the Marine Corps Amphibious Readiness Group/Marine Expeditionary Force will bring in additional aviation, maritime assets and U.S. Marines to enhance security in the region.
“U.S. Central Command is committed to protecting freedom of navigation within our areas of responsibility, including some of the world’s most important waterways,” CENTCOM Commanding Officer General Michael “Eric” Crilla said in a statement. “These additional forces, together with regional partners, will provide unique capabilities to further safeguard the free flow of international commerce, uphold the rules-based international order, and deter Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region.”
In the past two years alone, Iran has “attacked, seized, or attempted to seize” more than 20 internationally flagged non-military vessels, the statement said. (Related: Iran accuses US submarine of threatening territorial waters, claims navy forced it to surface)
On July 5, the U.S. Navy intervened when Iranian naval vessels attempted to seize two separate oil tankers, the Marshall Islands-flagged TRF Moss and the Bahamas-flagged Richmond Voyager, in the same area. According to the 5th Fleet, the Iranian corvette pursued the Richmond Voyager and fired “multiple, prolonged bursts from both small arms and crew-wielded weapons.”
And on July 6, CNN reported that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard seized a commercial chemical tanker believed to be engaged in smuggling operations. reportsaid, citing a US official. The United States was monitoring the situation, but took no action as the ship did not issue a distress signal.
Thousands of Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Force will soon join CENTCOM forces, along with the amphibious warships USS Bataan and USS Carter Hall. according to To US Naval Research Laboratory news.
The 26th Marine Expeditionary Force has been certified as having special operations capability, the first such designation in a decade. according to to the unit’s website.
US Central Command boosts regional strengthhttps://t.co/6Wndl6bRDK pic.twitter.com/BvsI7xIAVG
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 20, 2023
“Through these actions, the United States demonstrates its commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation and deterring Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region,” the Pentagon said. Said in a statement.
The Strait of Hormuz serves as a gateway to about one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil supply.
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