1.   A second aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, joined the USS Enterprise in the strategic waterway.

2.   The British aircraft carrier HMS Invincible is patrolling the strategic waterway with two U.S. aircraft carriers.

3.   The carriers play a central role as platforms for the aerial operations, and their absence from the strategic waterway tends to leave American military officials nervous.

4.   Egyptian authorities have increased security at the Suez Canal since the Cole bombing, a senior official at the strategic waterway said Wednesday.

5.   Iran says only countries in the oil-rich region have a right to send warships into the strategic waterway.

6.   Iran wants all foreign forces out of the Gulf, saying that regional security should be controlled by the countries around the strategic waterway.

7.   Skeptics, including Keyes, believe the Chinese may be seeking ways to gain control of the strategic waterway.

8.   The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz arrived in the Persian Gulf on Sunday, a day after Iran launched major naval maneuvers in the strategic waterway.

9.   The claim came a day after Iran itself accused U.S. naval forces of spying on its war games in the strategic waterway.

10.   The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz arrived in the Gulf on Sunday, a day after Iran launched major naval maneuvers in the strategic waterway.