The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Thursday said its boost of naval forces in the Middle East is to secure the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping in the face of alleged Iranian aggression.
“In response to recent attempts by Iran to seize commercial ships in the CENTCOM area of operations, the Secretary of Defense has ordered the deployment of an Amphibious Readiness Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit (ARG/MEU) into the CENTCOM area of responsibility, in addition to the recently approved forces comprising F-35s, F-16s, and a guided missile destroyer, the USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116),” said CENTCOM.
The deployment boosts aviation and Marine assets to provide “even greater flexibility and maritime capability in the region,” it added.
Tehran and Washington have had frequent altercations in the Gulf ever since the US tightened sanctions against Iran’s economy, particularly its oil exports. American and Iranian warships in the Persian Gulf had a tense encounter in April 2021, when an Iranian ship cut in front of the American ship, causing the vessel to stop abruptly.
The US has also accused Iran of harassing commercial shipping. “In the past two years, Iran has attacked, seized, or attempted seizure of nearly 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels in the CENTCOM area of operations,” CENTCOM said.
“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, CENTCOM commander.
“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,” he added.
Tehran has accused the US of being a destabilizing presence in the Gulf and trying to provoke Iran with its boosted military forces. It has repeatedly demanded the US to withdraw from the region.
“Iran reserves the right to make the necessary deterrent arrangements in compliance with international law’s rules and regulations, and will exercise its inalienable rights accordingly,” Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said after the US defense department first announced it was deploying more forces to the Gulf last week.
Iran was supposed to host a shipping event in October as part of a United Nations annual maritime day. An American proposal to rescind Iran’s hosting bid was approved in a vote at the UN’s shipping agency council, Reuters reported on Thursday.
Kanaani accused the US of abusing the United Nations for political purposes.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a member of IMO [International Marine Organization], has always emphasized its active and responsible role in the field of international shipping and acts according to international obligations,” said Kanaani.