US to Escort Its Ships Passing Through Strait of Hormuz: Pentagon Chief
US military in the Middle East will escort country’s vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz to protect them against Iran, said US Defence Secretary Mark Esper.
Hours after his appointment to the position, the Pentagon chief said they are working to deter Iran’s “provocations” and protects the freedom of navigation against any Tehran threats.
“We will escort our ships to the degree that the risk demands it. And I assume that other countries will escort their ships,” Esper was quoted by The Examiner.
“I use ‘escort’ broadly, right. Escort doesn’t mean they’re following right behind, but as long as you’re in the area that you can react quick enough to deter the provocation, that’s the key.”
Esper also welcomed European countries plan to launch a joint maritime mission in the Strait of Hormuz and protect the freedom of commercial navigation in the Gulf.
“I think it’s all helpful. It’s all sending the same message we’re trying to send. That is freedom of navigation and no provocative acts in the strait,” he explained. Source