Following the attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman last week, the US has announced plans to send around 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East. The decision was preceded by the release of new images this week by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which seemingly showed Iranian forces removing an unexploded mine from one of the damaged vessels.
In an announcement made this week, acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan stated that he had already approved a request from CENTCOM to deploy 1,000 additional troops.
The additional troops are reportedly meant to ensure the safety and welfare of the military personnel in the region. The added forces are also reportedly necessary to protect US assets and interests in the area.
Shanahan made it clear that the US is not seeking conflict with Iran and that the added troops are necessary given the recent attacks.
However, the US is still sticking to its previous allegations that Iran was behind the attacks on the two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the busiest sea routes where 20 percent of all of the world's oil passes. Saudi Arabia announced this week that it also thinks Iran was behind the attacks.
CENTCOM officials mentioned in a statement that it does have evidence to back its allegations against Iran.
The evidence is a set of images taken from a Navy helicopter that shows Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy removing unexploded mines from the Japanese-owned vessel that was attacked last week.
Iran has so far denied all of the allegations against it. Iranian officials claimed that it had nothing to do with the attacks on the vessels. Officials also pointed out that the country does not want to engage in any conflict with the US or any other country.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi responded to the Trump administration's decision to send additional troops by describing it as "reckless and rash."
The democrat further expressed her deep concern on the decision, which she thinks would only end up exacerbating the tensions within the region. Pelosi called on the administration to take a more diplomatic route to defuse the situation.
Tensions within the region are now at an all-time high following the US's accelerated deployment of military assets. The US had previously sent the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier battle group and a number of B-52 bombers to the region.
Meanwhile, Iran announced this week that it will be breaking the limits on its uranium stockpiles. The limits were established in the 2015 nuclear agreement with the US and five other countries. The US withdrew from that agreement last year.
