The call came as the U.S. denied claims a massive display of aircraft in the Gulf Coast is meant to intimidate Iran. The ships are set to conduct a series of drills over the two weeks.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates: “It’s not intended as a show of force. It patently is a show of force just because that is a lot of ships and clearly a lot of military power. But the intent is pure and simple, an exercise, where we saw the opportunity to take advantage of the confluence of these three ships, two carriers and the MEF, to have the opportunity to exercise together.”