Us Sends Military Reinforcements To Support Deterrence At Strait Of Hormuz
(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, Aug 7 (KUNA) -- The US Department of Defense announced Monday the dispatch of additional military reinforcements to the Middle East to support deterrence efforts in the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions with Tehran.
Sailors and Marines with the Navy's Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived Sunday in the Middle East as part of a pre-announced deployment to support deterrence efforts in the Strait of Hormuz and elsewhere, said Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder.
"As we have been for a very long time, we're coordinating with our partners in the region when it comes to US military presence because, again, it's not just the US military that's out there patrolling commercial shipping lanes. We're working as part of a broader coalition ... on that effort," Ryder told reporters.
The USS Bataan, an amphibious assault ship, is accompanied by the dock landing ship USS Carter Hall.
According to a news release from US Central Command, an amphibious assault ship, such as the USS Bataan, can carry more than two dozen rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft. That could include MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft and AV-8B Harrier attack jets, in addition to several amphibious landing craft.
A dock landing ship, such as the USS Carter Hall, also supports operations for various rotary-wing aircraft, tactical vehicles, and amphibious landing craft.
Ryder said the increased US presence in the Middle East is meant to help partners there keep open important shipping lanes such as at the Strait of Hormuz. It also contributes further to a long-standing goal of preserving security and stability in the region.
"That's why we've deployed these additional assets, to give us additional options, to speed up timelines and, again, broadly, to ensure stability," Ryder said.
According to the Pentagon, Iran has attacked or seized about 20 merchant vessels since 2021.
Last month, the Iranian navy attempted to illegally seize two merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. (end)
amm.rg.ibi
MENAFN07082023000071011013ID1106804199
.jpg)
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.