US not preparing for war with Iran Washington calls Tehran to stop destabilising actions

Matthew Miller, a Spokesperson for the US Department of State, has said that the sending of an aircraft carrier and US fighters to the Strait of Hormuz is not related to preparations for a war with Iran.

"What I’ll say about that is that in light of this continued threat and in coordination with our partners and allies, the Department of Defense is increasing its presence and ability to monitor the strait and the surrounding waters, and we call upon Iran to immediately cease these destabilizing actions that threaten the free flow of commerce through the strategic waterway upon which the world depends for one-fifth of the world’s oil supply," Miller said in a press briefing on July 18.

Speaking to Pentagon reporters last week, a senior US defence official said Washington would send F-16 fighter jets to the Gulf region to augment the A-10 attack aircraft that have been patrolling there for more than a week. The move comes after Iran tried to seize two oil tankers near the strait last week, opening fire on one of them.

The defence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details of military operations in the region, said the F-16s will give air cover to the ships moving through the waterway and increase the military's visibility in the area, as a deterrent to Iran.

The US Navy said in both instances the Iranian naval vessels backed off when the USS McFaul, a guided-missile destroyer, arrived on the scene.