Rear Adm. Curt Renshaw, Deputy Commander US Fifth Fleet, has stated that the fifth fleet cooperates with the Gulf countries to safeguard and ensure navy navigation. The whole world should be part of the navigation safety, he said, illuminating the Saudi-US cooperation and partnership in this aspect.
Renshaw affirmed that the fleet’s tasks cover the Red Sea, the Arabian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean – he continued that the 5th fleet partners with the Gulf countries to protect the navy navigation.
His statements were made to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, on the sidelines of the Saudi International Maritime Forum.
Speaking about the Iranian threats to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, Renshaw stressed that there are several plans in case Iran committed this as he pointed out that these threats emerged years ago.
The recent threats to the Gulf of Oman require international mobilization in order to put an end to them, he stated, underpinning that the Strait of Hormuz is an international passage for Oman and Iran.
Renshaw told the newspaper that the Strait is a legitimate international passage that can be used according to the international law for commercial and military purposes. Therefore, any threat to it jeopardizes the world and the global economy, he warned.
Renshaw also tackled the formation of new US, European and Gulf alliances to protect the navy navigation in the region – he shed light on the alliances such as CTF-150, which is a navy coalition to combat terrorism and prevent weapons smuggling to terrorist groups.
