The United States announced Friday the possibility of deploying marines to protect commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
MADRID, 5 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has confirmed this Saturday the future installation of unmanned aircraft and missiles with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers on the ships in charge of regional maritime security operations, one day after the United States confirmed that it is studying the possibility of deploying marines on commercial ships to prevent their seizure by Iranian forces.
The new strategic equipment, including missiles, drones and electronic warfare systems, has been handed over to the Navy in a ceremony attended by Revolutionary Guard Commanding General General Hosein Salami and Navy Chief Rear Admiral of the Guard, Ali Reza Tangsiri.
The ceremony took place one day after official US government sources indicated to ABC the existence of a plan for the deployment of marines on ships that cross the conflictive Strait of Hormuz.
According to these sources, the commercial shipping industry has been informed that this option is or will be available on a voluntary basis. The United States is now waiting for commercial shipping companies to apply for protection.
A senior White House official has indicated to the US chain that, although the plan is likely to be approved, no approval has been given right now to the US Army Central Command, responsible for these operations in the region, to continue forward.
Last month, Iran tried to seize two commercial oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman and opened fire on one of them, according to the US Navy. In May, Iran seized two merchant ships in one week.
The US government expects the presence of these marines on commercial ships — with US cargo or bound for the US — to be a strong deterrent to Iran. And while their mission would be defensive, the Marines would have the right to defend themselves as needed.
