US boosts military presence in Strait of Hormuz
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The US Navy's 5th Fleet says seven US 5th Fleet task groups used 12 distinct unmanned systems with manned ships to trail Iranian ships.
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US Air Force A-10s fly over the USS McFaul during operations in the Gulf, on August 15, 2023 (CENTCOM)
The US Navy's 5th Fleet confirmed that it is boosting its military presence in the Strait of Hormuz by patrolling with unmanned underwater and surface vehicles and aircraft.
"Last month, naval forces in the Middle East region successfully integrated unmanned platforms with traditionally crewed ships and aircraft to conduct enhanced maritime security operations in the waters surrounding the Arabian Peninsula," it said in a press release.
According to the press release, seven US 5th Fleet task groups used 12 distinct unmanned systems with manned ships to trail the Iranian Navy and Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy "ships and small boats over several days during routine patrols in and around the Strait of Hormuz."
"This operation bolstered presence in and around a critical chokepoint," the statement said, claiming that in recent months Iran had allegedly seized "internationally flagged merchant ships."
In mid-July, AP cited a senior US defense official as saying that the United States is intensifying its deployment of fighter jets in the strategic Strait of Hormuz to safeguard its vessels against potential, alleged seizures by Iran.
Iran has often made it clear that foreign interference in the Gulf has resulted in instability in the region.
Read more: IRGC Navy builds water landing, hybrid drones: General Tangsiri
