美国军方说，美国将继续在波斯湾部署战舰，此前，伊朗警告说，美国的一艘航空母舰不要返回该地区。美国五角大楼发言人利特勒说，“就像几十年来一 样，美国会继续在波斯湾部署美军装备。”美国一名海军军官星期一在一封电子邮件中告诉记者，美国致力于确保对全球商务至关重要的海事通道的安全畅通。西方 国家打算对伊朗有争议的核项目实施新的制裁，伊朗警告说，将以关闭霍尔木兹海峡来回应。霍尔木兹海峡是波斯湾地区其它产油国的关键出口通道。
星期二早些时候，伊朗三军总司令萨莱希警告，先前停泊在波斯湾的美国航母应该离开。他说，伊朗准备对他们视为的“威胁”作出回应。美国海军上星期表示，美国斯坦尼斯号航空母舰经过霍尔木兹海峡离开波斯湾地区是预先计划的例行行动。
The U.S. military says the United States will continue to deploy warships in the Persian Gulf, after Iran warned a U.S. aircraft carrier not to return to the region. "The deployment of U.S. military assets in the Persian Gulf region will continue as it has for decades," Pentagon spokesman George Little said in a statement. A U.S. Navy officer (( Bill Speaks )) said in an email to reporters on Tuesday that the United States is committed to ensuring the safe flow of maritime traffic in waterways critical to global commerce. Iran has threatened to respond to Western sanctions over its controversial nuclear program by closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key export route for oil-producing countries of the Persian Gulf.
Earlier Tuesday, Iranian army chief Ataollah Salehi warned a U.S. carrier that was previously in the Persian Gulf to stay away. He said Iran is ready to respond to what it perceives as a "threat." The U.S. Navy said last week the USS John C. Stennis left the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz in a pre-planned, routine operation.