The United States has dispatched the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship, along with a contingent of Marines to the eastern Mediterranean Sea. This move is part of a broader strategy to bolster maritime security and deter potential threats in the region, particularly in light of recent aggressive actions by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.
The deployment of the USS Wasp and its accompanying forces underscores the U.S. commitment to maintaining open and secure shipping lanes in one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for global oil transportation, with more than 20% of the world’s oil passing through this narrow waterway. Ensuring its security is paramount for global economic stability.
Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder emphasized the collaborative nature of this mission. “As we have been for a very long time, we’re coordinating with our partners in the region when it comes to U.S. military presence because, again, it’s not just the U.S. military that’s out there patrolling commercial shipping lanes. We’re working as part of a broader coalition,” Ryder stated.
The USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship, is equipped to carry more than two dozen rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft, including MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft and AV-8B Harrier attack jets. This versatile vessel also supports several amphibious landing craft, making it a formidable asset in both air and sea operations. The deployment also includes the dock landing ship USS Carter Hall, which supports various rotary-wing aircraft, tactical vehicles, and amphibious landing craft.
The decision to send these additional forces comes in response to a series of aggressive actions by Iran. Last month, the Iranian navy attempted to illegally seize two merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. On July 5, U.S. forces in the region intervened to prevent the seizure of two commercial tanker ships by the Iranian military in international waters near the coast of Oman. The USS McFaul, a guided-missile destroyer, played a crucial role in these interventions.
In one instance, the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker TRF Moss was approached by an Iranian naval vessel, which retreated upon the arrival of the USS McFaul. Later that same day, the Bahamian-flagged oil tanker Richmond Voyager was also approached by an Iranian naval vessel, which fired on it using small arms and crew-served weapons. The Iranian vessel withdrew when the USS McFaul arrived on the scene.
Since 2021, Iran has attacked or seized approximately 20 merchant vessels, according to U.S. Central Command (Centcom). This pattern of aggression has prompted the U.S. to increase its military presence in the region to ensure the security of vital shipping lanes and to support regional partners.
Ryder highlighted the strategic importance of this increased U.S. presence. “The increased U.S. presence in the Middle East is meant to help partners there keep open important shipping lanes such as at the Strait of Hormuz, which is a choke point between the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf. It also contributes further to a long-standing goal of preserving security and stability in the region,” he said.
The deployment of the USS Wasp and its accompanying forces is part of a broader U.S. strategy to enhance maritime security in the region. Last month, the Department of Defense announced the deployment of an additional U.S. Navy destroyer, the USS Thomas Hudner, along with F-35 and F-16 fighter jets, to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
The U.S. 5th Fleet’s area of operations covers approximately 2.5 million square miles of water, including the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. This vast area of responsibility underscores the importance of maintaining a robust and flexible naval presence to respond to emerging threats and ensure the security of critical maritime routes.
In addition to the deployment of the USS Wasp, the U.S. is also considering placing armed military personnel on foreign-flagged commercial ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz. This measure is intended to serve as a deterrent against potential threats and to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through this critical waterway.
The recent deployment of the USS Wasp and its accompanying forces is part of a broader U.S. effort to enhance its force posture in the region. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, which was already in the Mediterranean, was repositioned following an attack on Israel by Hamas. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group has also been ordered to sail to the eastern Mediterranean.
These deployments reflect the U.S. commitment to maintaining regional stability and supporting its allies in the face of emerging threats. The presence of these formidable naval assets serves as a powerful deterrent against potential aggressors and underscores the U.S. resolve to protect vital maritime routes and ensure the security of its partners in the region.
Source: U.S. Central Command, Pentagon Press Secretary, U.S. Navy
