Three major U.S. Naval Strike Forces consisting of more than 40 carriers, warships, and submarines will be arriving in Middle East waters this week to raise the number of U.S. Strike Forces in the area to five. The U.S. in these operations are being aided by Britain, France and Canada, and this is a part of the final preparations for a partial naval blockade of Iranian ports.

The expected response by Iran will be the shut down of the Strait of Hormuz oil route checkpoint, for which the U.S. Naval and Air forces stand ready to reopen. The U.S. forces are prepared to fight back should Iran attempt to break through the blockade.

U.S. forces are also being deployed as back-up for a possible Israeli military attack on Iran’s nuclear installations. Though this build up has been planned for some time, it cannot be forgotten that the forces are needed there in case it is needed in association to the flare-up between Russia and Georgia.

by Douglas V. Gibbs