U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Brad Cooper said a few days ago that the surge in vessels carrying weapons from Iran and attacks on commercial vessels “has the attention of everyone.” His remarks punctuate global concerns about how Iran threatens freedom of navigation and maritime security around the world.
Iran uses the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Navy (IRGCN) to challenge global economic security and the broader regional security architecture, has used international shipping companies as well as smaller fishing vessels to transport weaponry to its terror proxy networks, attacked commercial vessels with drones, and taken vessels hostage to extract concessions from the international community.