The secretary of defense ordered Monday the deployment of U.S. F-35 and F-16 fighter jets to the Middle East. Similarly, the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner will be sent. The decision was made in response to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

"In response to a number of recent alarming events in the Strait of Hormuz, the secretary of defense has ordered the deployment of the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, F-35 fighters and F-16 fighters to the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility to defend U.S. interests and safeguard freedom of navigation in the region," Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said Monday.

The U.S. response

The move comes in response to Iran's actions against merchant ships in international waters. During the last few months, an increase in seizures of merchant vessels was reported. In fact, earlier this month, the U.S. Navy indicated that Iran attempted to seize two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz and opened fire on one of them. Since May, the government has been reinforcing its presence in the Middle East.

According to information provided by the Navy, Iran's first attempt occurred at 1 a.m. local time when it approached a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker. However, it left the scene when a U.S. destroyer arrived.

"The Iranian navy did make attempts to seize commercial tankers lawfully transiting international waters. The U.S. Navy responded immediately and prevented those seizures," said Commander Tim Hawkins, spokesman for the Navy's Fifth Fleet, in remarks picked up by

Associated Press.

Similarly, a senior defense official told CNN that the United States is working with its allies to address the situation and continue monitoring the territory.