The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that “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… The ARG/MEU brings additional aviation, maritime assets, and U.S. Marines, providing even greater flexibility and maritime capability in the region.”
“In the past two years, Iran has attacked, seized, or attempted seizure of nearly 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels in the CENTCOM area of operations,” CENTCOM added.
“U.S. Central Command is committed to defending freedom of navigation within our area of responsibility which includes some of the most important waterways in the world,” said Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, Commander U.S. Central Command. “These additional forces provide unique capabilities, which alongside our partners nations in the region, further safeguard the free flow of international commerce and uphold the rules based international order, and deter Iranian destabilizing activities in the region.”
The announcement also stated that the MEU deployment would coincide with the recent deployments of F-35s, F-16s, and the guided missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) to the region, which will “increasing our presence and ability to monitor” the Strait of Hormuz amid “an alarming number of recent events in the Strait of Hormuz.”
