The US has sent F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets to the Persian Gulf to prevent Iran from seizing oil tankers

The US Air Force has sent reinforcements for A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft to the Persian Gulf. Surveillance of oil tankers will be reinforced with fourth-generation fighter jets.

Here's What We Know

A few weeks ago, A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft were on patrol in the Persian Gulf. They were recently joined by F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters. They will be able to respond to threats both at sea and in the air. Working alongside them are the US Navy's P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft.

The US stepped up air patrols after Iran tried to seize two commercial oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz last week. One of the ships was fired upon by the Iranian military.

The US response to the incident was to send the guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul to the area. U.S. officials said that after the arrival of the ship, Iranian forces abandoned the idea of seizing the tankers.

The U.S. Air Force began using the A-10 Thunderbolt II to guard ships in 2012. For several years, the service has been evaluating the aircraft's effectiveness against Iranian gunboats in the absence of serious air defences.

Source: Air & Space Forces Magazine