Maritime Security in the Arabian/Persian Gulf

Per the Times of Oman:

While talking about the security situation in this region, a top US naval chief in the Gulf yesterday said most countries in this region are vulnerable to terrorist attacks and terrorism-related activities.

Vice-Admiral David C. Nichols Jr, commander, US Naval Forces Central Command, Commander, 5th Fleet, said this while speaking to media at the InterContinental Hotel about the maritime security operations (MSO) coming under the US Naval Central Command area of responsibility. The 5th Fleet of the US Navy is based in Bahrain.

MSO sets the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complements the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations.

The main objectives of the MSO is to deny international terrorists the use of maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons, drugs or other material; protecting oil installations and preventing terrorists from entering the land.