U.S. Navy sends guided-missile submarine to Middle East

For the Biden Administration, the future of the US role in the Middle East remains fraught amid shifting regional alliances that could subvert their position.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab Staff & Agencies

08 April, 2023

The nuclear-powered submarine is due to exit the Suez canal on Saturday [Getty images]

The U.S. Navy said on Saturday a nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine was operating in the Middle East in support of the Bahrain-based U.S. Fifth Fleet.

The USS Florida entered the region on Thursday and began transiting the Suez Canal on Friday, Commander Timothy Hawkins said in a statement.

"It is capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles and is deployed to U.S. 5th Fleet to help ensure regional maritime security and stability," Hawkins said.

For the Biden Administration, the future of the US role in the Middle East remains fraught, as the White House seeks to confront the expanding reach of China and Russia's military influence.

last month, Iran, China and Russia all took part in a joint military drill on Wednesday in the Gulf of Oman, close to the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps - whom the US has designated as a terrorist organisation - joined Tehran’s naval forces in the exercises which lasted four days.

Other countries also took part in the drills, dubbed "Security Bond-2023," according to China’s defence ministry.