Following attacks on the Armaco Saudi oil processing units, that the US and Saudi blame on Iran, US sent Defence Secretary Mark Esper said that the Pentagon will send reinforcements to the Gulf region at the request of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The Pentagon chief said on Friday an Iranian attack on an American spy drone in June after Tehran seized a British oil tanker, combined with the attack on two Saudi oil installations last Saturday "represents a dramatic escalation of Iranian aggression."
"To prevent further escalation, Saudi Arabia requested international support to help protect the kingdom's critical infrastructure. The United Arab Emirates has also requested assistance," Esper added.
"In response to the kingdom's request, the president has approved the deployment of US forces, which will be defensive in nature, and primarily focused on air and missile defence," Esper said.
Esper also said that this is the first step and that he is not ruling out additional moves to come, going ahead.
According to Joint Chiefs of Staff Joe Dunford, size of the deployment "moderate". He only said that there would be fewer than "thousands of troops.” The reinforcements, according to a source include air and missile defence systems.
The decision to send reinforcements comes amid growing international pressure to forcefully react to the attacks that have affected crude oil supply in the global market and caused prices to fluctuate.
Some officials within the Trump admin are against an aggressive military response and argue that a covert operation should be carried out. The US, in the meantime also hopes forceful reaction from UNSC on the matter. However, with China and Russia, nations who have been affected by sanctions imposed on them by the US, having veto power and being part of UNSC, it is unclear as to what reaction the US is seeking.
However, it has to be noted that it will be Asian countries like China, India and South Korea that will be affected by this shortage in crude oil. India, who has avoided purchasing oil from Venezuela and Iran, relied heavily on Saudi for a constant supply of oil. And now has fuel prices shoot up to its steepest ever since the budget.
