Pentagon Strengthens Its Defensive Position in the Persian Gulf

On Friday, the spokesperson for strategic communications of the National Security Council at the White House referred to the increase in attacks by the Islamic Republic on commercial vessels, stating that the Pentagon will strengthen its defensive position in the Persian Gulf through a series of actions. According to John Kirby, Iran has violated the navigational rights of 15 commercial ships flying the flags of other countries through provocative actions, attacks, or interference over the past two years. He added that the United States Central Command, CENTCOM, will provide more details in the coming days. This U.S. action follows the seizure of two oil tankers by the Islamic Republic in recent weeks and the U.S. demand for their immediate release. The senior White House official, referring to the 'repeated threats, seizures, and armed attacks' by the Islamic Republic against commercial vessels, stated that the United States condemns any threats against commercial shipping and will not allow any foreign power to jeopardize the waterways of the Middle East. The U.S. Fifth Fleet, stationed in Bahrain, reported on May 3 the seizure of a Panama-flagged oil tanker by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the Strait of Hormuz. A few days earlier, the Iranian military had seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Sea of Oman. According to data from the British company 'Vortexa,' about one-fifth of the world's crude oil and petroleum products pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. discovered and seized $80 million worth of drugs from a vessel originating from 'Chabahar Port.' Iran has transferred the seized tankers to 'south of Bandar Abbas.' The U.S. plans to send more drones to counter Iranian threats in the Middle East and has called for 'greater caution' for ships passing through the Persian Gulf. The U.S. Navy has discovered millions of dollars worth of drugs, which are attributed to Iranian traffickers. The first unmanned vessel of the U.S. Navy has passed through the Strait of Hormuz.