US deploys additional warships in the Middle East
The US Department of Defence issued an order to send more naval ships to the Middle East, which is driving up the price of Brent crude as tensions in the region increase.
PHOTO: The USS Theodore Roosevelt captured at sea. Official Facebook page of USS Theodore Roosevelt
The US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin directed the US Central Command (CENTCOM) to deploy another guided missile submarine, along with the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group, which is equipped with F-35C fighter jets.
This move follows threats of retaliation from Iran and its regional allies after the assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in July.
Oil prices increased as market analysts grew wary of potential disruptions in oil supplies due to further escalations in the region. Brent’s price gain was “mainly driven by a fresh bout of Mideast risk premium as Israel went into high alert for attacks by Iran and the Hezbollah militants in Lebanon,” VANDA Insights’ founder and analyst Vandana Hari said.
Austin reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to Israel’s defence during a telephonic conversation with Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant. The US CENTCOM currently has the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group stationed in the region to safeguard commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea, an area frequently targeted by Yemen-based Houthi militants.
Additionally, the USS Georgia (SSGN 729), a guided missile submarine, has been deployed to the CENTCOM region, the statement noted.
By Aparupa Mazumder
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