The US Navy reports that marines and sailors from US Central Command’s Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team (FASTCENT) provided the MSC-chartered roro Liberty with an on-board security presence, during the vessel’s voyage through the Strait Of Hormuz, following the tensions that have spiked in the area.
Although in September the US Navy reported of a stable situation in the Strait, a strong US presence in the Gulf is of a great importance under the possibility of disrupting the maritime domain or using the seas for nefarious purposes.
In the meantime, Brigadier Gen. Matthew Trollinger, Commander of Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade added
… as well as a force to reassure allies, and partners of the United States’ commitment to ensuring the free flow of commerce throughout the region.
Following, Vice Adm. Jim Malloy, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet commented that their focus is on having a strong defence, be prepared and able to respond to attacks on US forces.
Overall, the Strait of Hormuz experienced an increased tension for months now. It first started when the UK arrested the Indian Captain and Chief Officer of the Iranian tanker ‘Grace 1’, a few days after the ship was seized suspected of breaching EU sanctions by shipping oil to Syria.
