Vice Adm. Mark Fox told reporters at the headquarters of the 5th Fleet on Sunday that the Navy has “built a wide range of potential options to give the president” and is “ready today” to confront any hostile action by Tehran.
Fox is the commander of the Bahrain-based fleet. He says Iran’s military is “capable of striking a blow” against American forces in the Gulf, but that his ships have a right to defend themselves if attacked.
His comments follow Iranian threats to close the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf if Iran’s oil exports are blocked.
