Pentagon denies claims US navy in East Med to protect ExxonMobil operation, Anadolu reports

The Pentagon has denied reports that the US navy has been deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean to protect the operations of ExxonMobil in the area, Turkey's state-run Anadolu agency has reported.

"There is no truth to the allegation that the US 6th Fleet is in the Eastern Mediterranean to protect ExxonMobil," Johnny Michael, Spokesperson for United States European Command (EUCOM), said in a written statement sent to Anadolu Agency, the agency reported.

"The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit are currently conducting a regularly scheduled deployment to the US 6th Fleet area of operations," the same statement said, according to the agency.