EARLIER this week, the Saudi Arabian Navy officially took over the command of Coalition Task Force Sentinel from the British Royal Navy and the control of Combined Task Force 152 from the Bahrain Royal Naval Force through a handover ceremony.
The Combined Task Force (CTF) 152 is “one of five operational task forces” under the 38-nation-strong, US-led Combined Maritime Forces headquartered in Bahrain. Meanwhile, the Coalition Task Force Sentinel comprises an 11-nation international naval partnership tasked to protect maritime commerce in and around the Strait of Hormuz – a crucial waterway off Iran’s southern coast.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most essential straits since it is the quickest route to transport oil from the Middle East to the rest of the world. Earlier this month, the US military sent thousands of troops to the Gulf region after accusing Iran of seizing foreign vessels in the strategic waterway.
Conversely, Iran accused American military personnel of protecting smuggling activities in the Gulf region.
The change of command occurred five months after Saudi Arabia and Iran restored diplomatic ties in a deal brokered by China.
