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A U.S. Navy sailor from USS Bataan stands watch as the amphibious assault ship transits the Suez Canal with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) on Sunday. Components of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th MEU are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to enhance maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. Photo by Cpl. Nayelly Nieves-Nieves/U.S. Marine Corps/UPI
Aug. 8 (UPI) — In response to Iranian aggression in the Strait of Hormuz, thousands of Marines and additional U.S. warships have recently arrived in the Middle East, reaffirming America’s commitment to ensure peace and security in the region.
On Sunday, the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan and dock landing ship USS Carter Hall brought over 3,000 U.S. sailors and Marines to the Middle East, as reported by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command on Monday.
The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit were deployed under the instruction of U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. This move demonstrates the United States’ dedication to safeguarding freedom of navigation and deterring Iranian destabilization activities in the area.
Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder emphasized in a press conference on Monday that the United States is collaborating with regional partners to form a comprehensive coalition for controlling commercial shipping lanes.
This deployment was prompted by recent destabilizing activities by Iran in the Gulf, which required intervention from the United States and its allies. These incidents include the successful seizure of a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker by Iran’s navy in the Gulf of Oman in April, and the harassment of a merchant ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian fast-attack boats in June, to which the U.S. and British navies responded.
Last month, the U.S. military prevented two attempted seizures of commercial tankers near Oman by the Iranian navy. Within the past two years, Iran has targeted or attempted to seize nearly 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels within the area of operations of U.S. Central Command, posing a significant threat to regional maritime security and the global economy.
Additionally, in response to Iranian attempts to seize oil tankers, the USS Thomas Hudner and F-35 and F-16 fighter jets were deployed to the Persian Gulf last month. The military has also increased the rotation of U.S. warships and aircraft patrolling the Strait of Hormuz since May.
Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder clarified that the increased military presence aims to support regional partners in maintaining open economic shipping lanes and ensuring stability in the region.
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