White House: We Have Detected Repeated Iranian Threats to Commercial Shipping

White House spokesperson John Kirby announced today, Friday, that the United States has detected repeated Iranian threats to commercial shipping in the Gulf, and that the U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) will begin to enhance its defensive posture in the region. Kirby stated that Iran has interfered with the navigational rights of up to 15 commercial vessels flying various flags. He added, "Today, the Department of Defense will take a series of actions to bolster our defensive posture in the Gulf." He indicated that U.S. Central Command would provide additional details about these reinforcements in the coming days. Kirby reaffirmed that the United States strongly condemns actions that threaten and interfere with commercial navigation, stating, "Washington will not allow foreign powers to jeopardize navigation in the maritime corridors of the Middle East."