On Sunday, U.S. officials accused Iranian-backed militias of carrying out a rocket attack on the U.S. Embassy building in Iraq. On Monday (Dec. 21), the U.S. Navy sent a clear message to Iran by sending a nuclear-powered submarine through the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. nuclear submarine’s show of force in the strategically important waterway comes as tensions between the U.S. and Iran increase and the U.S. Navy’s strong presence in the Persian Gulf warns the Iranian military of its global reach.
The USS Georgia SSBN-729, an Ohio-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine, entered the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz accompanied by the guided missile cruiser USS Port Royale and the destroyer USS Philippine Sea, the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet said.
In a statement, the Navy said, “Georgia’s presence in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations (AOO) is a testament to the U.S. Navy’s ability to navigate and operate within the limits of international law.”
“Georgia’s presence is a fixed, flexible and mobile force capable of supporting routine and contingency operations, demonstrating the U.S. commitment to regional partners and maritime security, and possessing an all-encompassing capability to stand ready to defend against any threat.” The statement said.
The USS Georgia nuclear submarine is one of the most versatile platforms in the fleet, with excellent communications capabilities and the ability to carry up to 154 Tomahawk ground-attack cruise missiles, the Navy said.
The nuclear submarine can also accommodate up to 66 special operations forces fighters.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow strait that connects the Persian Gulf, an important oil producing region in the Middle East, to the Gulf of Oman, and is the only waterway from the Arabian Sea into the Persian Gulf. On the strait’s northern shore is Iran.
Late last week, the U.S. Navy held joint military exercises with Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf, highlighting the military partnership between the two countries. Saudi Arabia is Iran’s main regional rival.
The Washington Times reports that the Pentagon’s announcement Monday of the nuclear submarine crossing the Strait of Hormuz underscores a departure from usual protocol. The Defense Department typically does not disclose the exact movement of specific warships, especially when it comes to nuclear submarines.
Over the weekend, Iranian-backed Iraqi militias reportedly fired rockets at the fortified “Green Zone” in Baghdad, home of the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, killing at least one civilian and damaging the embassy compound.
Recent Comments