The U.S. military is sending additional warships and thousands of Marines to the Middle East in response to recent Iranian attempts to seize commercial vessels.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved the deployment of an amphibious ready group and a Marine expeditionary unit to the Gulf region on Thursday after greenlighting similar force-strengthening maneuvers in recent weeks.
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U.S. Central Command said in a statement that the additional assets will provide “even greater flexibility and maritime capability in the region.”
“U.S. Central Command is committed to defending freedom of navigation within our area of responsibility which includes some of the most important waterways in the world,” said Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, the command’s leader. “These additional forces provide unique capabilities, which alongside our partners nations in the region, further safeguard the free flow of international commerce and uphold the rules based international order, and deter Iranian destabilizing activities in the region.”
Specifically, the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, which includes the Bataan, an amphibious assault ship; the amphibious transport dock ship Mesa Verde; and the dock landing ship Carter Hall, will be heading to the Middle East, along with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, according to Military Times. A marine expeditionary unit usually consists of roughly 2,500 troops.
Earlier this week, Austin also ordered the deployment of the USS Thomas Hudner, F-35 fighters, and F-16s, deputy Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh announced during Monday’s press briefing.
Earlier this month, Iranian naval forces attempted to seize commercial vessels traveling in the region, including once in which they opened fire at the ship.
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On July 5, an Iranian vessel approached the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker TRF Moss in international waters in the Gulf of Oman but ultimately left when the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul arrived at the scene. A couple of hours later, another Iranian vessel began harassing the Bahamian-flagged oil tanker Richmond Voyager and opened fire at it in international waters off the coast of Muscat, Oman.
Over the past two years, Iran has attacked, seized, or attempted seizure of nearly 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels in the region.
