Tensions increase over the Strait of Hormuz

The United States has embarked on a significant build-up of its military assets in the Gulf to counter repeated Iranian threats to disrupt the world's oil supply by sealing the Strait of Hormuz, The Telegraph reported on Tuesday.

The Pentagon disclosed that it has for the first time sent an amphibious vessel, the USS Ponce, into the region that could be used to transport a landing force. It has a capacity of about 900 troops.

The US defence department has also doubled the number of minesweepers assigned to the Gulf to eight vessels and added an unspecified number of F-22 stealth fighters and F-15C warplanes on to two of bases.

"The message to Iran is: "Don't even think about it,'" a senior defence official told the New York Times.

"Don't even think about closing the strait. We'll clear the mines. Don't even think about sending your fast boats out to harass our vessels or commercial shipping. We'll put them on the bottom of the Gulf," the official added.