Tensions rise in the Middle East… The US will send thousands of soldiers

The United States has decided to send additional warships and thousands of marines to the Middle East against Iranian interference with merchant shipping in the Persian Gulf.

In a written statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM), it was claimed that US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has approved sending an amphibious ship and an expeditionary task force to the Middle East. The statement did not provide information on the name of the ship and the unit. The officials, who did not want to be named, said the amphibious ship USS Bataan and the 26th Marine Corps Expeditionary Task Force, which consists of 2,500 soldiers, went to the region.

In addition to the USS Bataan, warships dubbed “USS Mesa Verde” and “USS Carter Hall” were directed to the region, officials noted that the ships in question left the Virginia port of Norfolk earlier in the month.

The United States announced that Iran attempted to seize two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month and opened fire on one ship. In a statement made by the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) on July 17, it was noted that after Iran’s attempts to seize commercial shipping in and around the Persian Gulf, it was decided to send the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner and F-35 fighter jets to the region. (AA)