The United States last week accused Iran of attacking two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. Photos released by the Pentagon on June 17 show that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is removing an unexploded mine from the hull of an oil tanker. With the growing tension between the United States and Iraq, the United States decided to send 1000 more soldiers to the Middle East. Iran believes that the United States may be the main driver of the tanker incident.
According to ABC, acting US Secretary of defense Patrick & middot; Shanahan said in a statement: "in response to the request of the US central command for additional troops and taking into account the proposal of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, after consultation with the White House, I have authorized an additional 1000 troops for defense purposes to deal with air, sea and ground threats in the Middle East." A US official said that the additional personnel are mainly engaged in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and force protection.
The United States has accelerated its deployment to the Middle East; Aircraft carrier Lincoln strike group and B-52 bomber task force. Since then, in order to enhance its defense capability, the United States has sent 1500 more soldiers.
Shanahan said in a statement: 'the United States does not seek conflict with Iran. The action taken today is to ensure the safety and security of our military personnel working in the region and to protect our national interests. We will continue to pay close attention to changes in the situation. Through intelligence reports and credible threats, we will adjust our forces as needed. "
Ali & middot, speaker of the Iranian parliament, on the attack on the oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman; Larijani hinted on the 16th that the United States may be the main instigator of the attack on the oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman and intends to provide "ammunition" for the "economic war" launched by the United States against Iraq. Larijani pointed out that similar practices had precedents during World War II, 'during World War II, Americans attacked their ships near Japan to make excuses for hostilities'.
The semi official Tasnim news agency of Iran reported on the 16th that Iran intends to suspend the implementation of more provisions of the Iran nuclear agreement.