Reuters reports U.S. Navy steps up fuel deliveries to Gulf forces:
The U.S. military has stepped up chartering of tankers and requests for extra fuel in the U.S. Central Command area, which includes the Gulf, shipping and oil industry sources say. A Gulf oil industry source said the charters suggested there would be high naval activity, possibly including a demonstration to Iran that the U.S. Navy will protect the Strait of Hormuz oil shipping route during tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme. The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) has tendered for four tankers in November to move at least one million barrels of jet and ship fuel between Gulf ports, from Asia to the Gulf and to the Diego Garcia base, tenders seen by Reuters show. It usually tenders for one or two tankers a month to supply Gulf operations, which include missions in Iraq. The MSC, asked for comment, confirmed the tenders and said there was nothing abnormal about current requirements in the Gulf, where it has a large military presence and which is home to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
Fuel demands, particularly in a war zone, are always in motion. So I’d ignore the Reuters subtext here–that this is some sort of indication that an attack is imminent. If I were a betting man, I’d say that the Navy is replenishing after the major exercise held earlier this month or–if you’re absolutely convinced that there’s treachery afoot–preparing to respond to the coming flurry of Iranian naval activity. HT: The Tank
