US aims to deploy troops on tankers to deter seizures by Iran

WASHINGTON – The United States is preparing to deploy marines and navy troops on commercial tankers transiting the Gulf as part of efforts to deter Iran from seizing ships, a US official said on Thursday.

The security forces would provide a further layer of protection for the tankers in addition to the warships and planes operating in the strategically vital area through which around a fifth of the world’s oil passes.

“There is an effort... to employ security details composed of both marines and navy sailors on commercial tankers transiting in and near the Strait of Hormuz as an added layer of defence for these vulnerable ships,” the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

An invitation is needed to do so because the ships are private vessels, but “we are undergoing preparations to execute should final agreements be in place to do that”, the official said.

Asked if there are concerns that the deployment could lead to confrontation between US and Iranian forces, the official said that was effectively up to Teheran.

“There should be no interaction at all if Iran plays by the rules and follows international law,” the official said, adding: “If they attack and we have forces on board, we will respond – as we should.”

Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder and National Security Council spokesman John Kirby both declined to confirm reports of the planned deployment.

‘Critical choke point’

Mr Kirby emphasised the importance of the area, saying that “the Strait of Hormuz is a vital seaway that has a huge impact on seaborne trade around the world”.

“It’s a critical choke point in the maritime world, and we have seen threats by Iran to affect that choke point,” he added.

The US is boosting its forces operating in the region, announcing in July that it would deploy a destroyer, F-35 and F-16 warplanes, as well as an Amphibious Readiness Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit comprised of some 3,000 troops.

The US military said Iran has either seized or attempted to take control of nearly 20 internationally flagged ships in the region over the past two years.

Washington said its forces blocked two attempts by Iran to seize commercial tankers in international waters off Oman on July 5, while Teheran took control of a commercial ship the following day.

In April and early May, Iran seized two tankers within a week in regional waters, and Teheran was also accused of launching a drone attack against an Israeli-owned tanker in November 2022.

There have been a series of such incidents since 2018, when then US President

Donald Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal

and reimposed crippling sanctions on the nation, which Washington says Iran has succeeded in evading. AFP