U.S. deepens its footprint in Middle East

The United States has deployed more than 3,000 U.S. Sailors and Marines of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in the Middle East, boosting its presence and role in encountering a host of concerns, including the Iranian threats in the Red Sea. 

The U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (CENTCOM) said the forces arrived on Sunday, August 6, indicating that this move will bring additional aviation and naval assets to the region and provide greater flexibility and maritime capability to U.S. 5th Fleet.

The U.S. 5th Fleet operates on approximately 2.5 million square miles of water space, including the Gulf of Oman, the Red Sea, the Arabian Gulf,  parts of the Indian Ocean, the Suez Canal, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Strait of Bab al-Mandeb.

Iran has attempted to seize commercial ships in the CENTCOM area of operations and has seized or attempted to seize about 20 internationally flagged vessels in the region during the past two years, the U.S. military previously said. 

This deployment of the new marine force is the American reply to the Iranian's harassment of ships in the Red Sea. CENTCOM said On July 20, "In response to recent attempts by Iran to seize commercial ships in the CENTCOM area of operations, the Secretary of Defense has ordered the deployment of an Amphibious Readiness Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit (ARG/MEU) into the CENTCOM area of responsibility."

Earlier this month, the White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby emphasized the importance of Hormuz Strait to marine trade globally. He told reporters, "The Strait of Hormuz is a vital seaway that has a huge impact on seaborne trade around the world."

What will this force do?

The presence of this new marine force is expected to be a powerful deterrent to Iran, and its mission would be defensive. However, the Marines would have the right to defend themselves as necessary, a U.S. official said. 

The U.S. Fifth Fleet spokesperson Cmdr. Tim Hawkins said in a statement that the marine units that arrived on Sunday would work with international partners to put off destabilizing activities and de-escalate the regional tensions brought about by Iran's harassment and seizures of merchant vessels this year.

However, Iran says regional security doesn't require American involvement. Iranian armed forces spokesperson Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi said the U.S. wasn't needed to provide security in the region.

He added, "What do the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean have to do with America? What is your business being here?"