24/07/2019
Arab Times
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WASHINGTON, July 24, (AP): The Trump administration’s new Pentagon chief says he aims to ensure a US naval presence in the Gulf that would deter Iran from threatening to stop or seize any American commercial ship. Mark Esper, who was sworn in as defense secretary on Tuesday, tells reporters that this arrangement wouldn’t mean having an American warship escorting every US commercial ship.
As Esper puts it, “to the degree that the risk demands it,” the US military will do what it can – by air and by sea – to ensure secure navigation in the Gulf and through the Strait of Hormuz. Esper says he’ll receive briefings on the Gulf situation, and Iran’s recent actions there, during a visit next week to Central Command headquarters in Florida.
