Washington sent a submarine and two warships to the Gulf today, Monday, shortly after it returned an aircraft carrier there and two strategic bombers flew over the region, and these moves came amid speculation of a possible US military action against Iran before the departure of US President Donald Trump.

The US Naval Forces Central Command announced that the nuclear-powered guided missile submarine (USS Georgia) today crossed the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf, along with the two warships carrying guided missiles (USS Port Royal) and (U). SS Philippine C).

The command said - in a statement - that the presence of the guided missile submarine "USS Georgia" in the area of ​​operations of the Fifth Fleet of the United States shows the ability of the US Navy to sail and operate anywhere permitted by international law.

She added that the submarine is capable of supporting routine and emergency operations, stressing that its presence in the region demonstrates the commitment of the United States to regional partners and maritime security.

And she said it has a full range of capabilities to stay ready to defend against any threat at any time.

The US Navy released pictures of the submarine alone and with warships as it crossed the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the US Naval Forces Central Command, the submarine is equipped with superior communications capabilities and is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Deterrent messages

Al-Jazeera correspondent in Washington, Fadi Mansour Al-Ghawasmeh, said that USS Georgia carries 66 members of the special forces.

He added that it is clear that this move comes in the context of the deterrence messages sent by the administration of outgoing US President Donald Trump to Iran.

He pointed out that the dispatch of the submarine and the two warships came before the first anniversary of the assassination of the former Iranian Quds Force commander, Qassem Soleimani, at the beginning of last January, through an American air strike targeting him after his arrival at Baghdad International Airport.

He explained that this move coincides with developments, including the launch of 8 missiles at the Green Zone, which includes the US embassy in Baghdad, and the approaching date of reducing the US forces in Iraq to 2,500 soldiers.

According to the Al-Jazeera correspondent in Washington, it is the first time in years that Washington announces that one of its submarines has entered the Gulf region.

Less than two weeks ago, two American B-52 bombers flew over the waters of the Gulf, at which time an Iranian military commander confirmed that they flew 150 kilometers from Iranian airspace.

Days earlier, Washington ordered the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier with its group of warships to return to the Gulf region, and this step took place in the context of tension following the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.

However, a US Navy spokeswoman denied that this return was linked to any "threats" after the assassination of Fakhri Zadeh in an operation that Tehran pledged to respond to.

In response to the US military moves in the region, Iran said that it was monitoring it, and that it would respond strictly in the event of any attack.

And media reports talk about the possibility that Trump, in his final days at the White House, may launch a military strike on Iran, a possibility that US officials and lawmakers take seriously.