Washington is preparing for a major military operation to secure the waters of the Gulf

POSTED ON 2019-07-22 BY SOTALIRAQ

[size=52]Washington is preparing for a major military operation to secure the waters of the Gulf[/size]

[size=45]The US Central Command announced its intention to launch a military operation called the Guardian to secure maritime routes in the Gulf region after Acting Defense Minister Mark Esber approved the dispatch of troops and resources from his country to Saudi Arabia.
[size=45]The Central Command said in a statement that it was developing an international maritime operation called the Guardian to strengthen surveillance and security of major waterways in the Middle East and to ensure freedom of navigation in the light of recent events in the Gulf region.[/size]
[size=45]The first preparations for the operation began in the Gulf because of the arrest of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on Friday, a British tanker for violating international standards.[/size]
[size=45]Washington explained that the purpose of the operation "is to promote stability in the sea, ensure safe passage and reduce tension in international waters throughout the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait of Bab al-Mandab and the Gulf of Oman."[/size]
[size=45]The United States will coordinate its moves in this process with its allies to "ensure freedom of navigation in the region and the protection of vital sea routes," according to a statement by the Central Command.[/size]
[size=45]Earlier on Friday, the Pentagon said in a statement that "the move provides an additional deterrent in the face of real threats in the region."[/size]
[size=45]On Thursday, news reports spoke of Washington's readiness to send 500 troops, warplanes and air defenses to Saudi Arabia soon.[/size]
[size=45]"Part of the troops and Patriot missile systems have been delivered to Prince Sultan base in the Kingdom," Pentagon sources said.[/size]
[size=45]Riyadh said on Friday it agreed to host US troops "to strengthen security and stability in the region."[/size]
[size=45]On July 4, Britain's Gibraltar government announced the suspension, detention and cargo of an oil tanker carrying Iranian crude to Syria.[/size]
[size=45]Iran has threatened to target British tankers in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, after Iranian naval vessels tried to intercept the BP's British Heritage tank operated by BP in the Strait of Hormuz.[/size]
[size=45]In May, four ships were hit by sabotage operations off the emirate of Fujairah outside the Strait of Hormuz. Two Saudi oil tankers, one Norwegian oil tanker and one UAE cargo ship were hit.[/size]
[size=45]The incident occurred in the UAE waters, in an atmosphere of intense tension prevailing in the region; because of the dispute between Iran and the United States, following the tightening of US sanctions on Tehran.[/size]


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