The United States has announced that it is increasing its deployment to the Middle East in response to “recent attempts by Iran to seize commercial shipping” in the US Central Command area of operations.
The US Central Command, whose area of operation is the Middle East, Central Asia and parts of South Asia, said in a statement that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of an amphibious group (ARG) with a marine expeditionary unit (MEU).
These are in addition to “recently approved” forces, which include F-35 fighters, F-16 fighters and a guided-missile destroyer, the USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116).
The ARG/MEU, according to its note, will provide new maritime and air resources, providing “greater flexibility and maritime capacity” in the region.
The United States stressed that “in the past two years, Iran has attacked, seized or attempted to seize nearly 20 international-flagged merchant ships in Centcom's area of operations.”
General Michael Kurilla, commander of Centcom, noted that his entity “is committed to defending the freedom of navigation” within its area of responsibility, “which includes some of the world's most important waterways.”
“These additional forces provide unique capabilities, which together with our partner nations in the region, further safeguard the free flow of international trade, uphold the rules-based international order, and deter destabilizing Iranian activities in the area,” he concluded.
The European Union sanctions Iran
On the other hand, the Council of the European Union (EU) established on Thursday a new framework of restrictive measures against Iran in view of this country's military support for the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and approved more sanctions for its military support for Syria.
The new sanctions regime prohibits the export from the European Union to Iran of components used in the construction and production of unmanned aerial vehicles. It also provides for travel restrictions and asset freeze measures that could be imposed on responsible individuals who support or participate in Iran's drone program, the Council said in a statement.
“These decisions show the EU's determination to continue to respond quickly and decisively to Iran's actions,” said the Council, which stressed that the EU “condemns the delivery of Iranian drones to Russia and their deadly deployment in the war of aggression against Ukraine.”