By Stefano Ambrogi LONDON, March 27 (Reuters) - The captain of the USS Dwight D Eisenhower carrier strike group in the Gulf said a second U.S. aircraft carrier had entered Gulf waters on Tuesday to carry out exercises. It is the first time a second aircraft carrier has entered Gulf waters since the attack on Iraq in 2003 and comes at a time of rising tension with Iran over its nuclear programme and the capture of British military personnel. Captain Dan Cloyd said in an interview the USS John C. Stennis strike group would carry out dual carrier exercises for a "few days or more", but could stay on in the Gulf for longer. "It's indeterminate right now as to how long we will operate together," Cloyd told Reuters from the Eisenhower. He said the deployment and exercises were not timed to exert pressure on Iran and did not mean a military confrontation was looming. "We do not foresee, and have no desire to engage in any kind of kinetic exchange with any force in the region," he said. Britain's Prime Minister warned Tehran on Tuesday of a "different phase" if it did not free the 15 marines and sailors seized on Friday. Cloyd said the carriers would carry out anti-submarine manoeuvres, anti-mine exercises and will practice operating against surface ships. Cloyd said that repeated Iranian naval and air war games in the Gulf were a cause for concern. Iran's navy began a week of exercises in the Gulf last Thursday with submarines and small missile carrying ships. "We've watched Iranian actions of late over the last few months and we are concerned about the affect it may have on potentially destabilising the region and potentially intimidating other regional partners," he said. Military experts say Iran could attempt to disrupt trade through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway in the Gulf through which some 40 percent of the world's oil passes, if it were attacked. Ariel Cohen, an energy expert with the U.S. Heritage Institute, has warned that a conflict in the strait could push oil prices to $120 a barrel. "The scenario is a possibility I guess, though it would be very difficult to close the strait. It's a significant body of water," Cloyd said. "We prepare for any number of contingencies and threats and as part of our on-going maritime security operations we would be committed to maintaining freedom of the seas and free access to the strait for world trade and commerce." Defence analysts have speculated that if Iran were cornered it might attempt to mine the Strait of Hormuz and wider Gulf region, a prospect which Cloyd said would be dealt with. Despite the manoeuvres and political differences Cloyd said dealings with the Iranian military were cordial. "We interact occasionally here in the Gulf and waters outside of the Gulf with Iranian navy and airforce units, they operate with us in a very professional and courteous way."
