Joseph L. Votel
For decades, the free flow of commerce and navigation in the Middle East was a central national security interest of the United States. Iran challenged this interest almost immediately after the revolutionary government came to power in 1979. Iranian actions at that time led to US responses like Operation Earnest Will, which brought together an array of joint military and civilian resources to successfully reflag and escort Kuwaiti tankers under threat from Iranian attacks in 1987 and 1988 — preserving the free flow of Gulf oil that was critical to our economy at the time.
During my tour as the commander (2016-2019) of US Central Command (CENTCOM), our naval ships were harassed by Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps fast boats dozens of times every month. But our forces’ demonstrated readiness to protect themselves, coupled with an effective public information campaign, brought the situation back under control. In October 2016, when the Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthis attacked USS Mason in the Red Sea, we decisively struck back against the group’s radar and missile sites. While those direct attacks stopped, the Houthis and Iran saw an opportunity for an asymmetric challenge — an opportunity they are exploiting today.
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