The U.S. Plans to Send More Drones to the Middle East to Counter Iran's Threats

The United States is seeking to persuade its Middle Eastern allies to purchase more drones (remotely piloted vehicles) in order to counter threats from Iran and protect vital waterways for global trade and oil. Bloomberg reported on Friday, citing Brad Cooper, commander of the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, that Washington intends to increase the number of drones in the region from 50 to 100. The announcement comes a day after the U.S. Maritime Administration issued a warning for 'increased caution' for commercial vessels passing through the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Sea of Oman until May 10. Recently, the Islamic Republic of Iran has seized two oil tankers flying foreign flags in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. According to Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for the U.S. Navy and coalition forces in Bahrain, the seizure of the tankers by the Islamic Republic underscores the need for 'greater visibility' provided by drones for the security and stability of the region. In addition to the Islamic Republic, the U.S. is concerned about China's efforts to expand its military and security ties with Washington's long-standing allies in the Middle East, particularly in the Persian Gulf. Beijing is one of the largest trading partners of many of these countries and the biggest buyer of crude oil from the region, and currently has a military base in Djibouti. In recent years, whispers of a potential shift in U.S. focus from the Middle East to other parts of the world have led Washington's allies to consider alternatives such as China and Russia to ensure their security against the Islamic Republic and its allies. Seth Frantzman, a journalist and author of the book 'Drone Wars: Pioneers, Killing Machines, AI, and the War for the Future,' emphasized the importance of the U.S. Fifth Fleet in maintaining stability and security in the Persian Gulf, stating, 'The increasing threats mainly from Iran against shipping highlight the necessity for more sensors at sea and finding other ways to defend shipping lines.' He believes that drones could fill a 'temporary' gap if U.S. naval units are relocated from the region. He added, 'The Persian Gulf is a suitable area to test the effectiveness of drones because, to counter the harassment tactics of Iran's fast boats, these relatively inexpensive drones can be used instead of a naval ship. According to this military analyst, Iran is monitoring the increased deployment of drones in the region and will likely resort to its fast boats to counter them. Regarding Israel's position on the increased U.S. military presence in the Middle East, Frantzman stated, 'Jerusalem sees this as 'fundamental' and collaborates with the U.S. Navy on issues related to regional security and stability, while also seeking cooperation with its partners within the framework of the Abraham Accords.' He noted that Israel has conducted joint military exercises with U.S. Central Command and has purchased new submarines and Sa'ar-6 corvettes, equipping them with the latest defensive technologies. According to Frantzman, Israeli aerospace industries are also collaborating with the Emirati company 'Edge' on drone-related projects.