MANAMA: A US-led naval coalition officially launched operations in BahrainThursday to protect shipping in the troubled waters of the Gulf, after astring of attacks that Washington and its allies blamed on Iran.
The coalition, aimed at warding off the perceived threat to the world´s oilsupply, has been in the making since June.
Iran, which has denied any responsibility for the mystery attacks, has putforward its own proposals for boosting Gulf security that pointedly excludeoutside powers.
Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, joined the InternationalMaritime Security Construct (IMSC) in August. Saudi Arabia and the UnitedArab Emirates (UAE) followed suit in September.
Australia and Britain are the main Western countries to have agreed to sendwarships to escort Gulf shipping. The newest member, Albania, joined onFriday.
Vessels will be escorted through the Strait of Hormuz, the strategicchokepoint at the head of the Gulf and the main artery for the transport ofMiddle East oil.
*Also read: Saudi oil field attack triggers biggest price surge since 1991link*
Vice Admiral Jim Malloy, commander of US Naval Forces in the Middle East,said Operation Sentinel is a defensive measure aimed at protecting Gulfwaters.
“While Sentinel´s operational design is threat-based, it does notthreaten,” he said during a ceremony at the IMSC’s command centre.
“We employ capable warships on patrol, but there is no offensive line ofeffort in this construct, other than a commitment to defend each other ifattacked.
“Our commitment to the region isn’t short-lived, it is enduring, and wewill operate as part of Sentinel for as long as it’s needed — as long asthe threat looms.”
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Most European governments have declined to participate in the navalcoalition, fearful of undermining their efforts to save a landmark 2015nuclear accord with Iran, which was badly weakened by Washington’swithdrawal last year.
*Read more: Saudi says Iranian sponsorship of attack undeniablelink*
Enmity between Tehran and Washington has soared since President DonaldTrump unilaterally abandoned the deal and reimposed crippling US sanctions.
On May 12, the UAE said four commercial oil tankers — two Saudi, oneEmirati, and one Norwegian — had been targeted by “acts of sabotage” inwaters off its coast.
Washington and Riyadh blamed Tehran, which denied involvement.
A month later, the Kokuka Courageous was hit and, around the same time,another tanker in the area — the Norwegian-owned Front Altair — was damagedby three explosions, according to the Norwegian Maritime Authority.
They were transiting through the Strait of Hormuz towards the Indian Ocean.
Then, on September 14, drone strikes targeted two key Saudi oil facilitiesonshore, causing catastrophic damage and temporarily knocking out half ofthe Kingdom’s oil production.
The attacks were claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels who are battling aSaudi-led coalition but Washington and Riyadh blamed Iran, saying thestrikes were carried out with advanced missiles and drones. – APP/AFP
