The Defense Department announced on July 17 that the United States is sending fighter jets and a Navy destroyer to the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman to increase security and deter threats to commercial ships. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated in a press briefing that F-35 and F-16 fighters, along with the USS Thomas Hudner destroyer, will be deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. This deployment aims to defend U.S. interests and ensure freedom of navigation in the region. The decision to increase presence comes in response to recent alarming events in the Strait of Hormuz, including two separate incidents where the Iranian navy attempted to illegally seize oil tankers. The United States Navy responded to these incidents, and no casualties or significant damage were reported. The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial route for global oil supply, with approximately 21 percent of the world’s oil passing through it. The increased U.S. presence is meant to protect shipping lanes and maintain regional maritime security, as Iran has engaged in a series of attacks and seizures of international merchant vessels. Tensions between the United States and Iran have been escalating, primarily due to Iran’s nuclear program and its enrichment of uranium. The United States is actively working to revive the Iran nuclear deal to prevent further enrichment. The Defense Department calls upon Iran to cease its destabilizing actions and ensure the free flow of commerce through the strategic waterway.