Marines and Sailors Deployed to Middle East to Protect Shipping Lanes from Iran
According to the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, more than 3,000 Marines and sailors arrived in the Middle East on Sunday as part of a deployment aimed at discouraging Iran from detaining and harassing merchant ships near the Strait of Hormuz.
They arrived aboard the dock landing ship USS Carter Hall and the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, which can transport dozens of aircraft, such as Ospreys and Harrier fighters, in addition to amphibious landing craft and tactical vehicles.
These forces are part of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group. According to a press release from Naval Forces Central Command, the MEU based in North Carolina “is capable of conducting amphibious missions, crisis response and limited contingency operations to include enabling the introduction of follow-on forces and designated special operations.”
According to U.S. Central Command, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the action last month “in response to recent attempts by Iran to seize commercial ships” in the Middle East.
Officials from Iran have refuted claims that they “harassed” ships, alleging in one instance that they were responding to a distress signal.
Iran attempted to commandeer two commercial oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman in July, opening fire on one of them, according to the Navy. According to the United States, Iran seized two merchant ships within one week in May.
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US Marines Trained to Escort Commercial Ships in the Strait of Hormuz Amid Tensions with Iran
A U.S. official told ABC News on Friday that some Marines of the 26th MEU were flown to Bahrain for training in anticipation of being deployed aboard commercial ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz to prevent their capture by Iran.
A previous statement by a U.S. official indicated that the presence of Marines aboard civilian vessels would be an effective deterrent against Iran. Even though their mission would be defensive, the Marines would be permitted to defend themselves if necessary, according to the official.
According to the official, the U.S. is contemplating multiple options and is likely to offer protections to ships flying the U.S. flag, carrying personnel that include U.S. citizens, or transporting cargo to or from the U.S. The commercial shipping industry has been informed that this option is voluntary or will become voluntary.
The United States is presently anticipating requests for protection from commercial transportation companies. Last week, a senior White House official told ABC News that while the plan is likely to be approved, U.S. Central Command has not yet received definitive authorization to move forward.
Monday during a press conference, Pentagon press secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder did not affirm the possibility when asked.
The ships and personnel that arrived this weekend join other recent U.S. military deployments to the region.
“In response to a number of recent alarming events in the Strait of Hormuz, the secretary of defense has ordered the deployment of the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, F-35 fighters and F-16 fighters to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to defend U.S. interests and safeguard freedom of navigation in the region,” Sabrina Singh said during a July 17 press briefing.
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Source: ABC News