US Navy “Protecting” Trade in the Strait of Hormuz

Tensions continue to mount over the Iranian seizure of the Maersk Tigris in the Strait of Hormuz. Such a move is little more than modern day privateering. Iranian news sources claim that the Maersk Tigris, a Marshall Islands flagged-ship,  is “owned by the US” and was seized under the request of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization. FarsNews states that a court order was issued for the ship’s confiscation under outstanding payment  issues with Pars Tala’eyeh Oil Products Company.

Pars Tala’eyeh reportedly wished to sue Maersk Line Shipping Co. to make up for financial losses. This contradicts earlier Iranian claims that the Maersk Tigris was seized for trespassing in Iranian waters. Given the evidence disproving the initial Iranian claims, it is unsurprising that the Iranians are changing their side of the story.

It is likely that Iran carried out the attack in order test the boundaries of the United States’ tolerance following U.S. statements regarding its policy to defend freedom of navigation.

The response by the Administration has been less than impressive. Firstly, the State Department spokesman refused to condemn the seizure by the Iranians.

Recently, the US Navy has begun to escort US and British-flagged commercial vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz in the wake of the Maersk Tigris incident and the harassing of the US flagged cargo ship Maersk Kensington. On April Friday, several Iranian patrol boats encircled and followed the Maersk Kensington for a period of time before withdrawing. An unknown number of US warships will be accompanying each  commercial ship.

However, the US Navy stated it will escort only those commercial vessels flagged under the United States and Britain, which is significant because  the Maersk Tigris was sailing under a Marshall Islands flag. The Marshall Islands, a former US territory, is completely reliant on the United States for protection, and the United States is obligated to protect the island nation and its property.

The decision to defend specific cargo ships which does not include the profile of the actual ship actually seized by Iran, creates the impression that the U.S. is less than serious about fulfilling its full defense obligations to its protectorates and allies.

That’s an exceptionally troublesome message to be sending in the face of continued Iranian provocation. Compare this response to President Ronald Reagan’s decision to conduct Operation Earnest Will, in 1988. In response to Iranian targeting of Kuwaiti shipping, The United States chose to re-flag foreign ships under the U.S. ensign and provided escort duties for them.

U.S. allies will be watching closely the validity and robustness of the U.S. response to determine whether the United States is prepared to insure freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf and to fulfill its defense commitments. With Arab allies in the region increasingly concerned about the US letting Iran gain hegemony in the region and leaving them out to dry, the United States must be exceptionally aware about alienating Middle Eastern allies at this crucial period.