The Pentagon is considering putting troops on merchant ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz – which connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and the ocean – in response to recent attacks by Iran, according to a US official.
“Action in the North Atlantic” (1943) starring Humphrey Bogart highlights the importance of manning merchant ships with military personnel for their protection during WWII. 80 years later, the US Pentagon wants to revive this practice in the Persian Gulf.
It is noted that Iran has stepped up its efforts to seize commercial vessels in Gulf waterways in recent months, following the US seizure of the Marshall Islands-flagged Suez Rajan tanker carrying Iranian fuel to China in April.
US Marines and sailors are preparing to serve as security teams on merchant ships seeking protection from Iranian forces.
The first time the Americans adopted such a measure was during World War II, creating the United States Navy Armed Guard, a guard that served on merchant ships by handling the weapons.
The second time the US took a similar measure was during the Iraq-Iran war (1980s), when it sent warships to escort merchant ships, but without placing troops on merchant ships. The intervention was only partially successful, as it may have prevented some attacks from surface ships, but Iran was able to inflict damage through mines.
If the US Defense Department approves the proposal, the military would deploy teams of about 20 armed marines and sailors to board commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. How many teams are deployed depends on how many the shipping industry requests.
The embarked troops will be part of a defense layer, along with other ships, aircraft and unmanned systems currently in the area on patrol or headed for it, including ships from the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit on board.
The US Pentagon guarantees that the proposal is not an “escalation measure” but rather a response to Iranian attacks, such as a July 5 incident in which Iranian naval vessels fired on two tankers.
The proposal comes at a time of escalation of the US military presence in the Persian Gulf, with the dispatch of ships, marines and aircraft. But this is at odds with American statements to reduce, not increase, their military involvement in the Middle East and to direct attention and resources elsewhere, especially in the East Asia and Pacific region.
Will the US military protect the interests of foreign companies?
A second vexing question is whether the US military will begin to protect commercial activities involving primarily non-US crews, shipowners and commodity traders.
American soldiers will likely be stationed on many ships whose mission is defined by the interests of foreign companies and foreign states, which often differ from the interests of the United States.
The escalation of US military presence and military operations in the Persian Gulf region is in direct contrast to a welcome recent trend towards de-escalation of tensions in that region. This trend included the restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia mediated by China and the rewarming of relations between Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
US policymakers need to think carefully about what mark they will leave on the region.
