American Marines Headed to the Persian Gulf; U.S. Considering Deployment of Soldiers in the Strait of Hormuz

On Thursday, the Associated Press reported, citing five U.S. military officials, that the U.S. Army is considering deploying its soldiers on commercial ships while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. These comments from U.S. military officials coincide with the deployment of thousands of Marines and sailors to the Persian Gulf by the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan and the USS Carter Hall. The five officials, who requested anonymity, stated that no final decision has been made regarding this matter, and U.S. military officials continue discussions with America's Arab allies in the Persian Gulf. According to them, Marines and sailors will only provide security if a request for assistance is received from commercial ships. One official described the process as complex, stating that deploying U.S. soldiers on any commercial ship may require approval from the country whose flag the ship carries and the country where it is registered. He added, 'So far, this has not happened and it will likely take time.' Earlier on Thursday, Brad Cooper, commander of the Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain, met with leaders from six member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Although the council's statement did not mention the aforementioned plan, it indicated that Cooper and officials from these countries discussed strengthening cooperation and working with international and regional partners. If implemented, this plan would demonstrate America's extraordinary commitment to the Middle East amid the Pentagon's increasing confrontation with actions by Russia and China. The United States had not taken such action even during the tanker war with the Islamic Republic in 1988. The USS Bataan and USS Carter Hall were deployed to the region on July 10 to counter Iran's efforts to threaten the free flow of trade in the Strait of Hormuz. The USS Bataan passed through the Strait of Gibraltar last week. In recent weeks, the U.S. has also responded to provocative actions by the Islamic Republic by deploying A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-16, and F-35 fighter jets, as well as the USS Thomas Hudner destroyer to the region. This comes as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps held military exercises on Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf on Wednesday. Hossein Salami, commander of the IRGC, stated during the exercises that 'the main message of the IRGC naval exercise is that regional countries can establish security in the Persian Gulf based on brotherhood and Islamic affection without the need for the presence of the U.S. or its European allies.' The ongoing dispute over a gas field; Saudi Arabia: The Al-Durra gas field (Arash) belongs to Riyadh and Kuwait. The Associated Press: Increased U.S. presence in the Persian Gulf is a sign of deepening differences with the Islamic Republic. The gas dispute with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia; Iran states it will pursue its 'rights' in the Arash field. The 'Guardian Shield' naval exercise with the participation of 11 countries in the Persian Gulf has concluded. The IRGC's oil threat: If the Iranian tanker is unloaded, we will retaliate. The 'United Against a Nuclear Iran' welcomed the further strengthening of U.S. military presence in the Persian Gulf. John Kirby: The U.S. and its allies are 'committed to ensuring the security' of shipping in international waterways. The Islamic Republic's harassment of commercial ships; Iran lost the opportunity to host an international meeting. The U.S.: We are not preparing for 'war with Iran,' focusing instead on 'monitoring and preventing instability.'