U.S. Sends Warships to the Gulf

May 27, 2007

On May 23, the U.S. Navy sent numerous warships into the Persian Gulf in what the Pentagon is describing as "a show of force off Iran's coast."

Carrier strike groups led by the USS John C. Stennis and USS Nimitz were joined by 7 other destroyers, amphibious assault ships and guided missile cruisers containing over 17,000 sailors and marines. Military officials described the latest assembly of ships as the largest in the Persian Gulf since 2003, when the U.S. invaded Iraq.

Aircraft aboard the carriers were conducting patrols while the ships ran submarine, mine and other "exercises."

U. S. officials stated that these war "games" — which were to culminate in an amphibious landing exercise in Kuwait, just a few miles from Iran — are "a clear warning to Tehran" in preparation for talks between U.S. and Iran officials scheduled to begin on May 28. The U.S. is also stepping up threats, and seeking to tighten sanctions, against Iran for continuing to develop its nuclear energy program. Two weeks ago, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, speaking aboard the Stennis carrier in the Gulf, vowed that the U.S. would stop Iran from pursuing its gaining nuclear program and never allow its "domination of the region."

Since January the U.S. has deployed two aircraft carrier battle groups, the USS John C. Stennis battle group and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower group, within striking distance of Iran. In March, reports also surfaced that the U.S. has contingency plans to attack Iranian nuclear sites and its non-nuclear military infrastructure including air and naval bases, missile facilities and command and control centers. During the past year, inside occupied Iraq, and in Pakistan, the U.S. has been building military bases overlooking Iran. U.S. combat aircraft have been violating Iranian airspace, and Pentagon officials admit that special forces are already engaged in covert operations inside Iran. The U.S. is also instigating the UN Security Council to impose more economic sanctions against Iran.

Make no mistake, the danger of U.S. imperialism launching war against Iran is very real. The American people must be active and resolute in opposing every aggressive step taken by the U.S. government so as to thwart its war plans against Iran.