US to deploy F-16s to protect ships from Iranian seizures in Gulf region

A senior US defense official shared the information with the Associated Press.

According to the official, the US will deploy F-16 fighter jets to the Gulf region this weekend to reinforce A-10 attack aircraft that have been patrolling there for more than a week.

"The move comes after Iran tried to seize two oil tankers near the strait last week, opening fire on one of them," the statement said.

The US Navy said that in both cases, Iranian warships retreated when the USS McFaul missile destroyer arrived at the scene.

In addition, a defense official said that the US is considering a number of military options to counter Russia's increased aggression in the skies over Syria, which complicated attempts to strike the leader of the Islamic State group last weekend.

However, the official refused to give details of the options, but said that the US would not give up any territory and would continue to fly missions in the western part of the country against the Islamic State.

• On June 3, Iranian Navy Commander Shahram Irani said that India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iraq plan to form a naval alliance.