US increases presence in Persian Gulf after Iranian vessel harassment.

Department of Defense to Increase Maritime Presence in Middle East

The Department of Defense has announced plans to increase its maritime presence in the Middle East in response to repeated Iranian seizures of commercial vessels. The National Security Council made the announcement on Friday, just over a week after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. This marks the 15th time in the past two years that Iran has harassed, attacked, or interfered with a merchant vessel.

Commitment to Regional Security

“The United States is committed to supporting regional security coalitions within the Middle East region and internationally,” said National Security Council coordinator John Kirby. “Today, the Department of Defense will be making a series of moves to bolster our defensive posture in the Arabian Gulf.” The U.S. will not allow foreign or regional powers to jeopardize freedom of navigation in the Middle East waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Working with Regional Partners

Michael Lawhorn, CENTCOM spokesman, stated that the U.S. is currently discussing options with regional partners who remain concerned about the repeated and unjustified threats, illegal seizures, and attacks throughout the region’s waterways. Any decisions about force posture will be made after consulting with allies and will be consistent with the collective desire to ensure the safety and freedom of navigation for all nations.

Seeking Coordination and Interoperability

The U.S. does not seek conflict with Iran and will seek to increase coordination and interoperability of the International Maritime Security construct and European Maritime awareness in the Strait of Hormuz under the leadership of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Navcent and the Fifth Fleet that’s based there.

• The Department of Defense will increase its maritime presence in the Middle East due to repeated Iranian seizures of commercial vessels.
• The U.S. is committed to supporting regional security coalitions within the Middle East region and internationally.
• The U.S. will not allow foreign or regional powers to jeopardize freedom of navigation in the Middle East waterways.
• Any decisions about force posture will be made after consulting with allies and will be consistent with the collective desire to ensure the safety and freedom of navigation for all nations.
• The U.S. does not seek conflict with Iran and will seek to increase coordination and interoperability of the International Maritime Security construct and European Maritime awareness in the Strait of Hormuz.

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