Equipped with weapons forces of the United States until will not be escorting ships in the Persian Gulf, But will maintain a military presence in the region to "deter provocations," said the Minister of defense mark Esper. "We will accompany our ships to this extent that this requires a risk... I'm not saying that (will accompany) currently," said Esper correspondents. the Minister said that this week plans to discuss this issue with the leadership of the U.S. Central command (CENTCOM), in whose sphere of responsibility includes the middle East. "I use the word "Escort" in a broad sense. The escort does not mean that they (merchant vessels) followed immediately by us. But as long as you are in this area, you have the opportunity to react rather quickly to prevent the provocation. This is a key factor, " said Esper. first Secretary of state Mike Pompeo said that Washington is forming a coalition to patrol the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the two Gulf - the Persian and Oman, where over the last period of time there has been a marked aggravation of the situation. Prior to this, podobnych the head of the Pentagon Katherine Wilbarger said that the coalition is not a military showdown with Iran, and to ensure the safety of shipping in the 1st place by enhancing intelligence and surveillance. The situation in the region has worsened considerably in recent months. In the Gulf of Oman in mid-June, had made an attack on two oil tankers: Front Kokuka Altair and Courageous. Small data, on Board were secured and detonated magnetic mines, because of this, there were explosions and fire. No official confirmation of this. Iran dismisses his introduction to the incident. After this there was another incident: the Iranian military said the downed American drone after he violated the airspace of Iran. At the same time CENTCOM said that the drone the U.S. Navy was shot down over the Strait of Hormuz in international airspace. In July the American ship was shot down, allegedly of the Iranian drone over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran denies that lost aircraft. The evening of 19 July, the naval forces of Islamic revolutionary guard Corps (the IRGC, the military power of Iran) tied in the Strait of Hormuz in Iranian territorial waters of British tanker Stena Impero and then escorted him to the port of Bandar Abbas. The crew of the tanker made of 23 people, and among them three Russian citizens, remain in the cabin, But the shipowner is unable to contact him. Iranian authorities revealed that the ship's Crew healthy, and the tanker is anchored at the port. the incident with the Stena Impero was the actual response of the Iranian authorities on the Iranian tanker British authorities of Gibraltar on 4 July. The ship Grace 1 suspected of violation of the punishment of the EU against Syria. Law enforcement authorities arrested the captain, the senior assistant of the tanker and another 2 crew members. The court extended their detention To fifteen August. <span style="color:darkgray