U.S. Warships Enter Persian Gulf

CNN and Reuters have reported that nine U.S. warships, carrying about 17,000 people, entered the Persian Gulf in broad daylight for the first time since 2003. They assembled off Iran's coastline in broad daylight and Iran's President has threatened "severe" retaliation if attacked. Naval officials have stated that this is the largest such a move since 2003.

It is usual that any US warships pass throught the Straights at night so as not to attract attention. This latest gathering of nine warships in daylight is a very rare tactical move. US Navy Officials have said that Iran had "not been notified" of their plans to sail the vessels into the Persian Gulf. The nine warships, which include two aircraft carriers, are now in international waters off Iran's coast; this is a major artery for globally shipping oil.

According to Reuters, "he extreme tension between the US and Tehran's nuclear build-up and these maneuvers come less than two weeks after U.S. Vice-President, Dick Cheney, said "the United States would stand with others to prevent Iran gaining nuclear weapons and dominating the region." The United States accuses Iran of trying to produce nuclear weapons, and has sought tougher U.N. sanctions against Iran. Iran replied that "it's nuclear ambitions are for energy purposes only."

According to CNN, "the President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadienjad, has clearly threatened "severe" retaliation of the United States attack his country, which is currently locked in a stand-off situation". U.S and Iranian ambassadors are due to meet on Monday in Baghdad to discuss the issue of security in Iraq. The US Government, over the past year, has accused Iran of " backing Shiite militia and providing weaponry and technology to them." Iran denies all accusations.

Reuters and CNN reported; "With nine U.S. warships now on their doorstep the Iranian President watches as the fleet conduct movements in an effort to reassure the nearby countries of our commitment to regional security in the area." Rear Adm. Quinn who leads the group in the Persian Gulf, has said that " the ships will conduct exercises as part of a long-term plan." The President of Iraq is still in a stand-off position with regard to developing their nuclear program.