US deploys over 3,000 soldiers to West Asia amid rising tension
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The United States has deployed over 3,000 Navy soldiers to the red sea in light of rising tensions with Iran.
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The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan travels through Atlantic Ocean on July 20, 2023 (US Navy via AP)
In a move that would heighten tensions in the already volatile Gulf waterways, the United States has dispatched over 3,000 military personnel aboard two warships to the Red Sea. This action comes as part of an escalated response from Washington following recent tanker seizures by Iran, according to a statement from the US Navy released Monday.
The deployment has raised concerns among regional stakeholders, with Tehran accusing the US of inflaming instability in the area.
The Red Sea region plays a critical role in global oil trade, making it a focal point in the trade route. Iran contends that the increased US military presence is a deliberate attempt to assert dominance in the region.
The US claims that over the past two years that nearly 20 internationally flagged ships have either been seized or targeted for control by Iranian forces.
The US Navy's Fifth Fleet announced that the deployment through the Suez Canal was pre-planned and aimed at enhancing flexibility and maritime capabilities.
The USS Bataan and USS Carter Hall warships arrived in the Red Sea on Sunday, adding significant power to the Fifth Fleet. Commander Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for the Fifth Fleet, claimed that the deployment's primary objective is to discourage any further destabilizing activities and reduce tensions stemming from Iran's actions towards merchant vessels.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani addressed the situation in a press conference on Monday, vehemently opposing the US military presence in the region.
Kanani asserted that history shows the US government's involvement has never brought about security but rather has served its own interests at the expense of regional stability and peace. He emphasized that the countries in the Persian Gulf have the capacity to ensure their own security and do not require external intervention.
As the US bolsters its presence in Iran's backyard, Iran is doing the same. For the first time, Iran's navy said in January that it would station vessels in the Panama Canal, a vital economic artery in America's backyard that has never seen an Iranian military presence.
The commander of Iran's navy, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, confirmed on Wednesday that Iranian forces will establish a presence in the Panama Canal later this year, marking the first time Iran's military has reached the Pacific Ocean.
This comes as Iran has been cementing ties with Latin American countries, most notably Venezuela, in recent years within the framework of the country's development roadmap.
Iranian ships have docked in Venezuela more regularly, as the two countries share a similar history of enduring excruciating sanctions by the US and its allies.
On this issue, Iranian Rear Admiral Irani commented by saying that the navy presence in the Panama Canal is meant to "strengthen our maritime presence in international waters," as per comments published by local media outlets.
Still, then-Israeli Security Minister Benny Gantz revealed in June new satellite photographs showing four Iranian military ships in the Red Sea.
According to Gantz's claims, Iran is "expanding its aggressive operations in the region in general and in the naval arena in particular," adding that it's been "unusually" patrolling the Red Sea with its military ships.
Gantz informed the audience that Iran has been extending its marine activity. "Today, we can confirm that Iran is methodically basing itself in the Red Sea, with warships patrolling the southern region," he stated.
The Israeli minister released satellite photographs of four Iranian military ships in the Red Sea, including the "Hengam" landing ship, two "Bandar Abbas" auxiliary ships, and the "Mowj" frigate.
