The U.S. is deploying marines, fighter jets, and warships to the Gulf region in a sign that it is taking seriously Iran‘s continued threats to commercial tankers and international trade more broadly.
On Thursday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved the deployment of the USS Bataan amphibious readiness group, which consists of three warships, and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, U.S. officials told the Associated Press. The move commits further resources to the area, with the U.S. already having approved on Monday the deployment of destroyer USS Thomas Hudner and a number of F-35 and F-16 fighter jets.
An expeditionary unit generally consists of around 2,500 troops.
Early in July, Iran attempted to seize two commercial tankers in the Gulf of Oman and only relented on both instances after Navy destroyer USS McFaul arrived on the scene. Iranian personnel opened fire on one of the commercial tankers.
Since 2021, Iran has harassed, attacked, or seized nearly 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels, explained the Navy in a statement, adding that the country presents a clear threat to regional maritime security and the global economy.
In recent months, the U.S. has increased the rotation of ships and aircraft patrolling the Strait of Hormuz, which divides the Gulf of Oman from the Persian Gulf. Iran periodically threatens to close the 21-mile strait — a move which would seriously hamper international trade.
“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,” General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, the head of Central Command, said in a statement after Austin’s most recent order.
“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,” Kurilla added.
Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh called on Iran to stop destabilizing waters through which more than one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
It does not appear, however, that the Biden administration’s willingness to increase U.S. military presence in the region to counter Iranian saber-rattling is causing it to reconsider its pursuit of a new nuclear deal with Tehran.