US to send F-16 fighter jets to Gulf amid tensions with Iran

The US is increasing the use of its fighter jets around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz to protect ships from being seized by Iran. A senior defense official said on Friday that the US is concerned about the growing ties between Iran, Russia and Syria in the Middle East.

Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon, the headquarters of the US Department of Defense, the official said the US would send F-16 fighter jets to the Gulf region this weekend. The move comes after Iran tried to seize two oil tankers near the strait last week and opened fire on one of them. The defense official said on the condition of anonymity that the F-16 fighter jets would provide air security to the ships passing through the strait. According to the US Navy, in both cases the Iranian naval ships turned back following the US Navy’s response, and both merchant vessels continued their voyage.

The defense official told reporters that the US is considering a range of military options to counter Russia’s increased airstrikes on Syria. He, however, declined to specify options but said the US would not give up any territory and its planes would continue to fly over the western part of the country as part of the anti-Islamic State (IS) campaign.