US Navy vessels operating in the Middle East are avoiding regional ports because of concerns over Iran’s missile capabilities and are instead relying on the remote US-UK military facility at Diego Garcia for resupply, Reuters reports Friday
The report said American naval forces have reduced their use of ports in the region because of the potential vulnerability of ships and support facilities to Iranian missile attacks.
Diego Garcia, located in the Indian Ocean more than 2,000 miles from Iran, has consequently become an important alternative for logistical support.
The shift follows months of conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, during which Iranian attacks have threatened American military infrastructure across the region. The USS Abraham Lincoln, which spent almost seven months operating in the Middle East, left the region in August and moved into the US 7th Fleet area after a 274-day deployment.
Recent reporting has highlighted the growing importance of Diego Garcia after attacks damaged US facilities in Bahrain. The remote base has provided greater distance from Iran’s immediate missile threat, although its location also means longer supply routes and additional logistical demands.
The Navy’s reliance on Diego Garcia underscores the security challenges facing US forces operating near Iran. Regional ports that once provided convenient access for replenishment and crew support have become more difficult to use amid continuing military tensions.
The situation could present an even greater challenge in a potential confrontation with China, Politico reported. Beijing possesses a much larger ballistic-missile arsenal than Iran and could threaten US military bases across the Indo-Pacific.
The developments highlight the growing importance of dispersed logistics and secure supply routes as Washington maintains naval operations across multiple strategic regions.
