After the tensions between the US and Iran, tensions between countries are on the rise after Washington blamed Tehran for attacks on oil tankers.
In response to the “hostile behaviour by Iranian forces and their proxy groups”, US is sending an additional 1,000 troops to the Middle East, Patrick Shanahan, the acting defence secretary announced on Monday.
In a statement, Shanahan said, “I have authorized approximately 1,000 additional troops for defensive purposes to address air, naval, and ground-based threats in the Middle East.”
He further added, “The recent Iranian attacks validate the reliable, credible intelligence we have received on hostile behaviour by Iranian forces and their proxy groups that threaten United States personnel and interests across the region.”
The move further raises tensions between the two countries. Last week Washington blamed Iran for attacks on two oil tanker ships, which came more than a year after Donald Trump announced that the US was withdrawing from a 2015 nuclear deal and restoring economic sanctions.
The acting secretary added: “The United States does not seek conflict with Iran. The action today is being taken to ensure the safety and welfare of our military personnel working throughout the region and to protect our national interests.”
The deployment included security forces and troops for additional monitoring and intelligence grouping and initially was among options which were laid out to the US leaders last month, according to the officials.
Those options included as many as 10,000 troops, along with Patriot missile batteries, aircraft and ships.
Morgan Ortagus, a spokeswoman for the state department, told reporters on Monday: “We continue to call on the Iranian regime not to obtain a nuclear weapon, to abide by their commitments to the international community.
“It’s unfortunate that they have made this announcement today. It doesn’t surprise anybody and this is why the president has often said that the JCPOA needs to be replaced with a better deal.”
The US decision to drag out, and Trump’s “America first” approach to foreign policy, seems to have damaged trust with allies, some of whom are seeking stronger proof that Iran was behind the oil tanker attacks.
Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state, “Yes, we’ve shared it with allies already. You’ve had the chance to see it. I made a bunch of phone calls yesterday, I’ll make a whole bunch more calls today. The world needs to unite against this threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
