US Navy sources reported a recent large scale exercise by the US Fifth Fleet in the Persian Gulf. The exercise concentrated on defensive maneuvers designed to protect the shipping lanes in the area. The Fifth Fleet consists of a carrier battle group, an amphibious battle group, and several smaller vessels.
Recently, US sources have announced that Iran will not be allowed to block the Straits of Hormuz (between Iran and the UAE) and the US forces will keep the shipping lanes open. Most of the global supply of oil and petroleum travels through the Persian Gulf and exists the Straits of Hormuz to the India Ocean.