The U.S. Navy has confirmed the arrival of more than 3,000 U.S. military personnel in the Red Sea aboard the USS Bataan and USS Carter Hall warships.

This robust deployment follows a series of tanker seizures by Iran and is part of a broader American military buildup in the Gulf's critical oil trade routes.

Iran has responded by accusing Washington of fostering instability in the region, as the Daily Mail reported.

U.S. Military Deployment & Iran's Concerns

The U.S. military has pointed to nearly 20 attempts by Iran to seize or gain control of international ships in the region over the past two years.

According to the Navy's Fifth Fleet, the latest deployment provides "greater flexibility and maritime capability" to deter destabilizing activities and ease regional tensions caused by Iran.

The USS Bataan, an amphibious assault ship, and the USS Carter Hall, a dock landing ship, transport Marines and their equipment. The ships transited through the Suez Canal and entered the Red Sea on Sunday, according to an official statement.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani expressed his country's disdain for the U.S. deployments during a press conference on Monday.

He said, "The U.S. government's military presence in the region has never created security. Their interests in this region have always compelled them to fuel instability and insecurity."

Kanani emphasizes that Persian Gulf countries are capable of ensuring their own security.

Recent Incidents

The U.S. deployment comes after American forces blocked two attempts by Iran to seize commercial tankers in international waters on July 5. One of the tankers, the Richmond Voyager, collided with an Iranian vessel, injuring five crew members, as per the Iranian state news agency IRNA.

In April and May, Iran seized two oil tankers in regional waters, and in November, Israel and the U.S. blamed Iran for a drone strike against an Israeli-operated tanker.

U.S. Strategy and Regional Relations

Last month, the U.S. announced plans to send additional military assets, including a destroyer, F-35 and F-16 warplanes, and the Amphibious Readiness Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit, to deter Iran in the Gulf.

There are also preparations to station Marines and Navy personnel aboard commercial tankers for added defense.

The increased U.S. military response coincides with a period of growing regional engagement with China, which recently mediated a surprising détente between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Tehran's relations with other Arab Gulf states, such as the UAE and Kuwait, are also on the rise.

However, some experts like Torbjorn Soltvedt of Verisk Maplecroft, a risk intelligence firm, believe the U.S. may still be perceived as not doing enough to deter Iranian attacks against international shipping, AFP reported.

Soltvedt said, "Security will remain a friction point in US-Gulf relations even if the threat posed by Iranian attacks against shipping eases in the short term."