Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft operate alongside amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) and guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) in the Gulf of Oman, Aug. 17, 2023. US Navy Photo
Amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) and landing dock ship USS Carter Hall (LSD-50), sailing on orders to the Persian Gulf region, crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, USNI has learned. Read More
Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)), prepare to board a UH-1Y Venom during a defense of amphibious task force (DATF) rehearsal aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), Red Sea, Aug. 7, 2023. US Marine Corps Photo
A force of 100 Marines, newly trained by Navy personnel, stand ready to respond, if ordered, to provide armed security aboard foreign commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, USNI has learned. Read More
An MV-22B Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 162 (reinforced), departs the flight deck aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) on July 24, 2023. US Navy Photo
USS Bataan (LHD-5) and USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) are in the Mediterranean Sea, having crossed through the Strait of Gibraltar Wednesday. Read More
USS Bataan (LHD-5) and Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) form a strait transit formation behind the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) during Composite Training Unit Exercise (C2X), Atlantic Ocean, May 21, 2023. US Marine Corps Photo
The U.S. is sending two amphibious warships and thousands of Marines to the Middle East to bolster regional security after Iranian forces threatened commerce in and out of the Persian Gulf, the Pentagon announced Thursday. Read More
An Iranian warship fired on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman before leaving the scene after U.S. naval forces arrived, U.S. 5th Fleet announced on Wednesday. Read More
A screenshot of a video showing fast-attack craft from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy swarming Panama-flagged oil tanker Niovi as it transits the Strait of Hormuz, May 3, 2023. US Navy Photo
U.S. 5th Fleet, along with other allies in the Middle East, will increase the number of ships and aircraft patrolling the Strait of Hormuz in response to Iran’s recent seizures of merchant vessels, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command announced Friday. Read More
A screenshot of a video showing fast-attack craft from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy swarming Panama-flagged oil tanker Niovi as it transits the Strait of Hormuz, May 3, 2023. US Navy Photo
Iranian forces have seized the second oil tanker in less than a week, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command announced in a Wednesday release. Read More
The following is the April 12, 2023, Congressional Research Service report, Iran’s Nuclear Program: Tehran’s Compliance with International Obligations. Read More
Guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN-728) transits the Suez Canal en route to the Red Sea, on April 7, 2023. US Navy Photo
USS Florida (SSGN-728) deployed to the Middle East this week after spending months in the Mediterranean Sea, the U.S. Navy said in a rare public announcement. Read More
IRIS Makran and IRIS Dena in port in Cape Town, South Africa on April 4, 2023 Satellite image ©2021 Maxar Technologies used with permission
Iran’s two-ship surface action group was spotted this week in port in Cape Town, South Africa, after failing to transit the Panama Canal, according to satellite images provided to USNI News by Maxar. Read More
