Tel Aviv: The US and Israel have enhanced their efforts to identify any developing hostile act by Iran in the Persian Gulf. After adopting a more active posture to deter Iran in the Persian Gulf, the Pentagon said Friday, July 14 that it will deploy more warplanes to protect shipping in the region. The US already uses A-10 fighter jets to patrol the strategic waterway, in particular the narrow Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attempts to seize oil tankers navigating in international waters, but it will now deploy additional F-16 jets.
A Pentagon official speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity said the F-16s will be an additional element to deter Iran and provide protection to commercial shipping.
According to Iran International, the London based website operated by the opposition of the Iranian regime reported that Iran’s latest attempt to interfere with commercial shipping occurred earlier this month when it tried to seize two vessels.
The US Navy announced July 5 that it prevented Iranian naval forces from diverting the vessels including the Richmond Voyager, a supertanker managed by Chevron in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrowest part of the Persian Gulf.
“[The] United States will not allow foreign or regional powers to jeopardise freedom of navigation through the Middle East waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz,” National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic
Communications John Kirby told reporters May 12.
The US Navy in early June said that Iran had interfered with or attacked 15 internationally flagged merchant ships over the past two years.
According to the website, Iran’s provocative actions come as attempts to restrict its uranium enrichment and reach a nuclear agreement have remained unsuccessful since President Joe Biden assumed office in January 2021. Iran has expanded military cooperation with Russia, supplying hundreds of kamikaze drones that are being used in Ukraine against civilian and military targets.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
