The largest daytime assembly of US warships in the Gulf since
the 2003 Iraq War prepared yesterday to hold drills off Iran's
coast in a major show of force that unnerved oil markets.
US Navy officials said Iran was not notified of plans to sail
nine ships, including two aircraft carriers, through the Straits of
Hormuz, a narrow channel in international waters off Iran's coast
and a major artery for global oil shipments.
The maneuver raises pressure on the Islamic Republic, coinciding
with a report by the UN atomic watchdog on Iran's nuclear program,
which could lead to tougher sanctions.
Oil climbed toward US$70 as the US ships sailed into the
straits, through which 40 percent of globally traded oil
passes.
Rear Admiral Kevin Quinn, who is leading the group, said the
ships would conduct exercises as part of a long-planned effort to
reassure regional allies of US commitment to Gulf security.
"There's always the threat of any state or non-state actor that
might decide to close one of the international straits, and the
biggest one is the Straits of Hormuz," he told reporters on board
the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier.
Tension with the US over Teheran's nuclear ambitions has raised
regional fears of a military confrontation.
Highlighting the dangers of accidental escalation, a Navy
official said the USS Stennis had received nine enquiries from
nearby countries, two from Oman and seven from Iran, including one
from an Iranian vessel that sailed close by.
Iran's Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said his country
would resist any threat by its enemies.
Most US ships pass through the straits at night so as not to
attract attention, and rarely move in such large numbers.
Navy officials said the decision to send a second aircraft
carrier was made at the last minute, without giving a reason.
The group of ships, carrying about 17,000 personnel and 140
aircraft scheduled to participate in the exercises that will take
place over the next few weeks, crossed at roughly 0355 GMT (11:55
am Beijing time).
The maneuver comes less than two weeks after US Vice-President
Dick Cheney, speaking aboard the Stennis during a tour of the Gulf,
said Washington would stand with others to prevent Iran gaining
nuclear weapons.
On a visit to Abu Dhabi a few days later, Iranian President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad threatened "severe" retaliation if the US
attacked his country. He also urged Gulf countries to "get rid of"
foreign forces, blaming them for insecurity in the region.
(China Daily May 24, 2007)
