(MENAFN) The US Navy has deployed a nuclear-powered submarine equipped with missiles to the Middle East region, according to a statement released on Saturday. The submarine, named Florida, entered the area on Thursday and began crossing the Suez Canal. The vessel is capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, according to US Navy spokesman Timothy Hawkins.
The submarine has been deployed to the US Fifth Fleet to help ensure regional maritime security and stability, the statement added. The US Fifth Fleet is headquartered in Bahrain and is responsible for operations in the Gulf region, the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. The fleet is stationed in the Juffair area, east of the Bahraini capital, Manama.
Securing the Gulf region, through whose waters nearly half of the world's oil supplies pass, is one of the primary tasks of the US Fifth Fleet. The deployment of the nuclear-powered submarine underscores the US government's commitment to maintaining stability and security in the region and protecting its strategic interests.
The move comes amid growing tensions in the Middle East, including the ongoing conflict in Yemen, the recent attacks on Saudi oil facilities, and Iran's nuclear program. The US has been working to build a coalition of countries to counter what it sees as Iran's destabilizing actions in the region. The deployment of the submarine is part of this broader effort to ensure regional security and safeguard vital shipping lanes.
The deployment of a nuclear-powered submarine also highlights the US military's technological superiority and its ability to project power in the region. The vessel's advanced capabilities and firepower make it a valuable asset in any potential conflict, and its presence is likely to serve as a deterrent to any potential adversaries.
The situation in the Middle East remains volatile, and the deployment of the submarine is a clear signal that the US is prepared to take whatever measures are necessary to protect its interests and maintain regional stability. The international community will be watching closely to see how the situation develops and whether tensions in the region continue to escalate.
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