Marines have recently been deployed to the Persian Gulf and provided training in anticipation of being stationed on American commercial ships to protect them from potential threats posed by Iran. Although the deployment has not yet been officially approved, it carries the risk of a direct confrontation between US and Iranian forces, as reported by the Washington Post. Iran has been involved in seizing and harassing ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, since 2019. With these harassments continuing, a US official informed the Washington Post that an “elevated response” is necessary. As a result, the Pentagon has already dispatched more fighter aircraft and another Navy destroyer to the Persian Gulf region.

Source: Washington Post August 03, 2023 23:39 UTC