The U.S. Can Choose Between a Narrow or a Broader Operation Against Iran’s Navy
By Alexandru Filip & Julian Spencer-Churchill
August 15, 2023
U.S. Navy photo by Kerri Kline
On August 10, 2023, despite warnings from Tehran, the U.S. substantially increased its naval presence in the Arabian Sea to counter the persisting nuisance of Iran to passing ships. On July 5th, the American destroyer USS McFaul prevented the seizure of two freighters by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). A week after the incident, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin warned of a buildup that would include the USS Thomas Hudner, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, along with F-35, F-16, and even A-10 combat aircraft to Persian Gulf bases. On April 8th the Navy had already announced the deployment of the Ohio-class cruise missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN-728), to the region. Most importantly, the arrival of the USS Bataan, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, and the USS Carter Hall, a Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship, along with elements of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, signalled the U.S. capability to effect landings on strategic Iranian islands, such as Faroor, Abu Musa, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs, and even Larak. The failure to confront Iran will send a permissive signal to Russian encroachments against the Freedom of Navigation in the Black Sea, and Chinese restrictions against Innocent Passage in the South China Sea.
Iran’s recent attempts at once again projecting itself onto the international stage by policing the Persian Gulf, comes at a severe risk to maritime commerce and to themselves. In 1988, in Operation Praying Mantis, the U.S. Navy (USN) crippled Iran’s fleet, sinking six ships and disabling two oil platforms used for maritime interdiction, including the stationing of anti-ship missiles, laying of mines, and basing of fast attack vessels for boarding. The strike force was composed of three Surface Action Groups, nine ships in total, along with the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise patrolling in the Gulf of Oman. U.S. action in 1988 was triggered by the USS Samuel B. Roberts striking an Iranian naval mine while escorting a Kuwaiti oil tanker against a seizure similar to the attempt in July.
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