US Navy Steps Up Vigilance After Britain-Iran Standoff
The US Navy said Tuesday it had stepped up vigilance following Iran's recent seizure of 15 British marines and sailors for allegedly entering Iranian waters.
"We need to be mindful of not just protecting our units but ensure that our people are protected when they are off their ship and then, we have procedures in place to ensure that something like that doesn't occur to American sailors," said the chief of naval operations, Admiral Michael Mullen.
"I am confident that we got those in place but I am mindful, watching what occurred (to the British sailors), that we need to be very vigilant with respect to that," he said, when answering a question at a Washington forum.
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Mullen said the "main message" in the United States having two aircraft carrier battle groups at present in the Persian Gulf "is to reassure our friends" from a "position of great strength."
US President George W. Bush ordered a second US aircraft carrier battle group to the Gulf in January and announced the deployment of a Patriot missile defense battalion to the region to protect allies against potential missile strikes.
If any Iranian tried to kidnap any American sailors, it would be my hope and desire that not a single one of those Iranians live to make back to shore.
