The military's deployment of additional support to the Middle East in July to deter increasing Iranian aggression in the maritime environment has been working, according to a top military official.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment of the USS Thomas Hudner, F-35 fighters, and F-16s, the Defense Department announced on July 17, roughly two weeks after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy attempted to seize commercial vessels in the Gulf of Oman, including opening fire at one of them, in a trend of increased aggression from Iran's navy.

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"What I would say is our increased air presence, but, probably more importantly, the presence of surface vessels that went in, including the amphibious ready group that came in from the Marines, that increase in surface vessels combined with our air power has deterred Iran from taking any actions against maritime shipping," Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, commander of U.S. Air Forces Central, said on Wednesday during a Defense Writers Group event.

The increased presence allowed U.S. forces based in the Middle East to continue their missions in Iraq and Syria while providing support for the Navy, including patrols over the Strait of Hormuz.

Grynkewich called the positive short-term deterrence "temporal" and warned that their behavior could turn more aggressive once again. He also said that should the United States withdraw the increased presence only for Iran to resume seizures of vessels, the U.S. can redeploy those assets to the region.

"My sense is, and what we're trying to message, is that we surged forces in, in response to a specific threat. That shows American commitment to the region. It shows, you know, that our American strategy has been, with our posture being less than it once was, we've shown a commitment to bring forces in for other major exercises for assurance purposes or when a threat requires it. And we certainly did that in this case," Grynkewich added, noting they can "come back in and insert forces one more time."

At the time of the deployment, deputy Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said the decision had been made following "an alarming number of recent events in the Strait of Hormuz."

Over the past two years, Iran has attacked, seized, or attempted to seize roughly 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels in the region, according to the U.S. military.

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In late September, Iran’s navy shined a laser multiple times at a U.S. AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter conducting routine operations in the international airspace above the Arabian Gulf. No one was hurt in the incident, and the aircraft was not damaged.

“These are not the actions of a professional maritime force. This unsafe, unprofessional, and irresponsible behavior by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy risks U.S. and partner nation lives and needs to cease immediately," U.S. Naval Forces Central Command spokesman Cmdr. Rick Chernitzer said in a statement. “U.S. naval forces remain vigilant and will continue to fly, sail, and operate anywhere international law allows while promoting regional maritime security.”