Sputnik
The US could put armed troops on commercial ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. The move could upset the region's security and create unnecessary risks for the US, DC scholars warn.
The US is beefing up its presence in the Middle East, despite earlier claims that it would scale down its involvement in the region.
According to the US press, thousands of US Marines and sailors have been brought to the Persian Gulf by the USS Bataan and the USS Carter Hall. The buildup has been ongoing for several months. In March, A-10 Thunderbolt II warplanes arrived at the Al Dhafra Air Base. US F-16 and F-35 fighter jets have also been dispatched to the region as well as the USS Thomas Hudner destroyer. In May, the US, British, and French navies conducted patrols in the Strait of Hormuz, which links the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea and open ocean.
On August 4, unnamed US officials told the press that the Pentagon was considering putting armed personnel on commercial ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.
Why are the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf again in the focus of the US military? Washington is pointing the finger at the "resurgent" Iran, claiming that the measures are necessary to prevent the Islamic Republic from "seizing and harassing" civilian vessels. For its part, Iran resolutely denies employing such a practice.
The Strait of Hormuz plays a crucial role for global trade. According to some estimates, roughly 88% of all oil going from the Persian Gulf passes through the strait. Tankers carry around 17 million barrels of oil dailythrough the strait. In other words, it's up to 30% of the world's total consumption of the commodity.
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