The battle of tankers and aircraft .. What happens in the Gulf? Is war going on?

From the US military deployment to attacks on oil tankers and the downing of marching planes, tensions in the Gulf region are mounting in the wake of the US withdrawal in May 2018 of the nuclear deal signed in 2015 and the imposition of US sanctions on Tehran again.

American proliferation
On May 5, 2019, after the Revolutionary Guard was included in its list of "terrorist organizations", the United States announced the deployment of the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and warplanes, including bombers in the Middle East, in response to what it considered "indications of a serious threat by regime forces Iranian conflict. "

In the following weeks, Washington gradually reinforced its military presence in the region.

Sanctions on Iran
A year after the unilateral US withdrawal from the nuclear deal, President Donald Trump imposed new sanctions targeting several Iranian economic sectors.

On May 8, Iran announced that it would stop curbing the production of heavy water and enriched uranium, which it had committed to in implementing its nuclear agreement.

On July 1, Tehran announced it had exceeded the 300 kg threshold stipulated in the nuclear deal on low-enriched uranium reserves. On the eighth of the same month, Tehran announced that it is producing quantities of enriched uranium by less than 4.5%, which is prohibited.

Targeting Ships
On May 12, four ships - two Saudi oil tankers, one Norwegian and one Emirates cargo ship - were hit by "sabotage" operations off the coast of Fujairah in the UAE.

Washington and Riyadh have accused Iran of targeting ships, which have repeatedly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which 35 percent of the world's oil exports pass through. Tehran has denied the charges.

On June 13 two oil tankers, one of them Japanese, were attacked. Washington, London and Riyadh blamed Iranian authorities for the attack, which Tehran denied.

American plane crash
On June 20, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced that it had shot down an American aircraft that "violated Iranian airspace" while Washington confirmed that the aircraft was in international airspace.

Trump later confirmed that he had canceled at the last minute strikes against Iran to avoid major casualties.

Iranian oil tanker
On July 4, Britain intercepted an Iranian oil tanker off the coast of Gibraltar. Iranian President Hassan Rowhani warned of the consequences of the move.

On July 10, Iran's military navy tried to prevent the passage of a British tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, but the Revolutionary Guards denied any confrontation with foreign ships.

Drop an Iranian march plane
On July 18, Trump confirmed that the American vessel "Boxer" was destroyed over the Strait of Hormuz by an Iranian marching aircraft approaching dangerously from an American ship. Iran responded the following day as "unfounded allegations".

British tanker
On July 19, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced that it had confiscated a British oil tanker named "Stina Empero" as it crossed the Strait of Hormuz. The decision came hours after the Supreme Court of Gibraltar announced the extension of the detention of the Iranian oil tanker thirty days.

Washington accused the Iranian authorities of "escalating violence," while London said the seizure of two tankers was "unacceptable."

The two vessels, one British and the other Liberian, were released according to the company, Norfolk Shipping.

The importance of Strait of Hormuz
Although the Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is only 50 kilometers wide and 60 meters deep, it is the only sea corridor for Middle Eastern products destined for the markets of Asia, Europe and North America.

In 2018, about 21 million barrels per day crossed the Strait of Hormuz.

US forces in Saudi Arabia
On July 19, Saudi Arabia agreed to receive US forces on its territory to "promote joint action in defense of the security, stability and peace of the region."

The first time American forces have returned to the kingdom since leaving in 2003, in a major military development comes at the height of tension with Iran in the Gulf region.

Is this a sign of a blow to Iran?
Although President Trump's administration has said it does not want a war with Iran, it has hinted at possible strikes against it after accusing it of attacking tankers, a charge Tehran denies.

The US Central Command confirmed in a statement that the deployment in Saudi Arabia provides "an additional deterrent, creating operational depth and logistical networks."

"The US military return to Saudi Arabia is part of the process of concentration and the United States is seeking to increase its military options if it is decided to carry out a strike against Iran," said Andrews Craig, a Middle East researcher at King's College in London.

Saudi Arabia did not say how many troops it would host when it announced a few days ago a US military return. But US media reported earlier that 500 troops would be based at Prince Sultan base south of Riyadh.

Craig saw that the number of soldiers is not an indication of preparations for a war, "especially when we talk about a war with Iran." But pointed out that "these forces will be present to equip Prince Sultan base for the possibility of hosting a squadron of aircraft."