The build-up of US Navy vessels in the Persian Gulf is continuing with the USS Boxer joining USS Enterprise and USS Iwo Jima to conduct ‘war games’ in the Persian Gulf which are being seen by Iran as a provocation.
The exercise, set for Oct. 31, is the 25th to be organized under the U.S.-led 66-member Proliferation Security Initiative and the first to be based in the Gulf near Bahrain, across from Iran, the officials said.
A senior U.S. official insisted the exercise is not aimed specifically at Iran, although it reinforces a U.S. strategy aimed at strengthening America’s ties with states in the Gulf, where Tehran and Washington are competing for influence
This might not be the much talked about October surprise, but with tensions mounting as they are in the region, the chances of an incident occurring which could trigger some sort of retaliation are greatly increased.