According to Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, mariners and sailors from the Navy’s Bataan Amphibious Ready Team along with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed ahead of schedule heading to the Middle East on Aug. 6, 2023, to support alleged deterrence attempts in the Strait of Hormuz as well as other regions near Iran.
“Because, once again, it is not only the U.S. military that is out there patrolling commercial shipping routes, we’re collaborating with our allies in the region especially when it comes to U.S. military activity, as we have done for a very long time. We’re contributing to that effort as a larger coalition,” Ryder told reporters.
US Navy Sailors and Marines were deployed to the area by the amphibious assault ships USS Bataan and the USS Carter Hall.
The Iranian navy made an attempt to board two commercial ships between the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz in July.
According to a news release from US Central Command, on July 5, the US troops already present in the Centcom zone of responsibility were involved in an operation to stop the Iranian navy from capturing two commercial tanker ships in international seas off the coast of Oman.
An Iranian naval ship challenged one of the ships, the oil tanker TRF Moss, which was registered for the Marshall Islands. After the US Navy guided-missile destroyer the USS McFaul arrived, the naval vessel left the area.
An Iranian Navy warship also challenged the Bahamian-flagged petrol tanker Richmond Voyager on the same day. The Iranian naval vessel managed to approach the tanker inside a mile and began firing on it employing crew-operated and small-caliber weaponry. The Iranian ship left the area when the USS McFaul approached, just like it did in the instance of the TRF Moss.
Iran has attacked or taken control of roughly 20 cargo boats since 2021, according to Centcom.
According to Ryder, the increased US presence in the Middle East is intended to help vital allies in the area maintain the openness of crucial maritime channels like the Strait of Hormuz. A vital passageway connecting the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea is the Strait of Hormuz. Elites in US national security have frequently justified keeping a military presence in the area by citing this choke point.
“Because of this,” Ryder said, “we’ve deployed these additional assets, giving us additional options, accelerating timelines, and, again, generally, ensuring stability.”
Author: Blake Ambrose
sink the pirates
I think it’s time to equip these tankers with more than small arms maybe several high powered gating guns or rocket launchers if need be blow these filthy pirates out of the water, it’s time to take off the kid gloves and get serious and teach these camel jockeys we won’t take it anymore. MEGA.
We never would have had this problem if Trump were still President. The world no longer has any respect for the United States of America. Our governemnt has betrayed us, the American People and the rest of the world. I actually prayer that this authoritarian administration can be removed BEFORE 2024.
Doesn’t it seem strange that our Pentagon Leadership, that encompasses the most Elite military trained leaders, takes orders from a President that doesn’t have any military training. Just because he/she automatically becomes “Commander -In-Chief” as a President , it doesn’t give him/her the mindset to guide the largest and best equipped military ever put on this planet along with it’s Allies. We should have a committee of the Top Military Leaders, Top Congressional Leaders, Top Advisors, and the President, at an oval table discussing rationally, with no fear of politics intervening or losing their standing rank, what steps are necessary to keep our democratic world safe.
Ah stop whining Obama didn’t have any military training either and I’ll bet you were fine with that but when Trump was president you and other liberals all complained he wasn’t in the military because of a bone spur what was Obamas reason he couldn’t read maps ? if the person can lead a nation with success as Trump had proved then military service isn’t necessary. But I’ll bet if Obamas wife Michael get’s to be president you’ll all cheer and military service wouldn’t even be an issue only if a republican is president get over yourself. MEGA
If anyone can start WW3 it’s Joe Biden! Trump had peace negociations going on around The World. Leave it to Joe Biden to screw things up! Oh, wait. Didn’t Barack say Joe could screw up a wet dream or something like that?