U.S. carrier across the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf internal

The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday and came to the Persian Gulf, the Pentagon (Defense), after Iran threatened to close the strategic sea route.                                     
"USS Abraham Lincoln completed a regular and routine transit through the Strait of Hormuz planned to conduct maritime security operations," said DefenseDepartment spokesman John Kirby told AFP via email .

"The transition was completed as planned and without incident."

The carrier, which carries up to 80 aircraft and helicopters, was escorted by themissile cruiser USS Cape St. George and two destroyers.

Earlier the Ministry of Defence in the UK reported that a British frigate and a French ship joined the aircraft carrier group to cross the strait.

While Allied ships are participating in naval exercises in the U.S., Britain and France's presence in the strait seems to be a message to Iran on the Westerndetermination to keep open the sea.

Political and military leaders warned Iran earlier this year that would close the strait if the increasing pressure from Western sanctions over its nuclear program stoppedits oil exports.

The strait is a key route for Gulf oil output.

Iran tried to defuse tensions last week after threatening with a response if the United States resubmitted an aircraft carrier to the Gulf.