South Front
An MH-60R Seahawk from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35, Detachment 1, provides aerial support to an interdiction team from guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92) approaching a fishing vessel May 16. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Lily Gebauer)
A United States military official told Breaking Defense on June 3 that an Iranian plan to establish a joint naval alliance with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, India and Pakistan, defies reason.
“It defies reason that Iran, the number one cause of regional instability, claims it wants to form a naval security alliance to protect the very waters it threatens,” U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces spokesperson Cmdr. Tim Hawkins said.
The spokesman went on to reveal Iran attacked or seized 15 internationally flagged merchant vessels in the Persian Gulf over the past two years.
“Actions matter, which is why we are bolstering defense around the Strait of Hormuz with partners,” Hawkins added.
The plan to establish the regional naval alliance was first announced by the commander of the Iranian Navy Rear Admiral Shahram Irani during a televised program that was aired on June 2. Justifying the plan, the commander said at the time that “countries of the region have realized that the security of the region can be established through synergy and cooperation of the regional states.”
None of the countries named by Irani as possible members of the naval alliance has commented on the proposed plan, so far.
The Iranian announcement came after the UAE said on June 1 it had withdrawn the United States-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
The Bahrain-headquartered CMF was established in 2001 to provide security for civilian maritime traffic by conducting counter-piracy as well as counter-terrorism missions in the heavily trafficked waters of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
The U.S. attempted to play down the UAE’s decision. Hawkins told AFP at the time that the country remains a partner nation, despite putting its participation on hold.
The naval alliance proposed by Iran poses a serious challenge to the U.S. influence in the Persian Gulf. The recent rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia could help materialize the plan. Washington will however attempt to sabotage and undermine the alliance.
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