U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo began seeking support from allies in the Middle East on June 23 for a new surveillance and tanker escort plan in the Persian Gulf, The Washington Post reported June 24. The program, called Sentinel, aims to enhance situational awareness around tanker traffic in the region by installing cameras, optics and other monitoring devices on the vessels to provide evidence of culpability surrounding attack attempts. The plan also envisions the deployment of warships and maritime patrol aircraft to better protect and secure tanker traffic in the Persian Gulf region.