WASHINGTON: The United States Navy has confirmed that a nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine, the USS Florida, is now operating in the Middle East.
US Navy Ohio-class nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN-728) transits Suez Canal en route to Red Sea on April 7. pic.twitter.com/6txGTZiImL
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The vessel, which is capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, has been deployed in support of the Bahrain-based U.S. Fifth Fleet, according to a statement from Commander Timothy Hawkins.
The USS Florida entered the region the other day and began transiting the Suez Canal, marking its first deployment to the region in over two years. Its mission is to help ensure regional maritime security and stability, Hawkins said in the statement.
The deployment of the USS Florida comes at a time of massive developments in the region, with Saudi Arabia and Iran shaking hands for friendship due to a successful backdoor diplomacy by China, and in Israeli strikes on Syria and Lebanon, as well as changes taking place as far as in Afghanistan.
It is important to note that the United States has maintained a military presence in the Middle East for decades, and the deployment of the USS Florida is seen as a further demonstration of its commitment to protect its interests in the region.
The U.S. Fifth Fleet, which is based in Bahrain, is responsible for U.S. naval forces in the Middle East, including the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and parts of the Indian Ocean.
