US forces have intensified their night air raids over the Strait of Hormuz as part of operations to protect commercial ships from Iranian attacks and secure maritime navigation, coinciding with the imposition of a blockade on Iranian ports. This comes amid growing pressure on aircraft and military crews and rising deployment costs in the region, according to a report published by Euronews on Saturday.
The report, citing pilots and crew members from the US aircraft carrier USS George Washington, stated that US fighter jets carry out surveillance and interception missions against missiles and drones that may target commercial ships. These operations face difficulties due to the narrow airspace and the density of threats in the strait.
The report noted that the intensity of air raids imposes additional burdens on US forces, as long operating hours increase aircraft consumption and accelerate the need for maintenance. It also highlighted the fatigue of pilots and technical crews responsible for keeping fighters in a state of readiness.
On the financial side, the report clarified that the cost of the US military presence in the Middle East and related operations ranges between two and three billion dollars monthly. It pointed to the deployment of approximately 50,000 soldiers and 20 US warships in the region, factoring in expenses for ammunition, fuel, maintenance, supplies, and operations.
According to the report, these burdens raise concerns in Washington about the impact of continued intensive operations on the readiness of US forces and their ability to respond to crises in other parts of the world.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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