The US will deploy additional military assets to the Middle East amid escalating tensions, the Pentagon announced on Friday.
“The Department of Defense continues to take steps to reduce the risk of regional escalation by Iran or its allies and proxies.
“Secretary Lloyd Austin has directed adjustments to the U.S. military posture to enhance U.S. force protection, increase support for Israel’s defense, and ensure that the United States is prepared for a range of contingencies,” Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said in a statement.
To maintain a carrier strike group presence in the Middle East, Austin has ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group currently stationed in the Central Command area of responsibility.
Additionally, ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers are being sent to the US European Command and US Central Command regions, with the Department also preparing to enhance its readiness to deploy additional land-based ballistic missile defense systems. The US will also deploy more fighter squadrons to the Middle East, strengthening its defensive air support capabilities, Singh added.
US remains ‘intently’ focused on de-escalating tensions
Singh emphasized that the US is “intently” focused on de-escalating tensions in the region and is actively pushing for a cease-fire as part of a hostage deal to bring captives home and end the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
The deployment order followed a phone call between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which they discussed US military support for Israel against regional threats, with Biden reaffirming his commitment to Israel’s security against all threats from Iran.
“The President discussed efforts to bolster Israel’s defense against threats, including ballistic missiles and drones, through new defensive US military deployments,” the White House stated on Thursday.
Nearly 39,500 Palestinians have been killed in the 10 months since Israel launched its offensive on Gaza on October 7, following an attack by Hamas. This conflict has heightened regional tensions, with recent escalations including the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh during a visit to Iran.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah in Lebanon has engaged in cross-border skirmishes with Israel, and Yemen’s Houthi group has targeted Israeli-linked cargo ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in solidarity with Gaza.
Despite calls from international organizations, including the UN, and regional countries for a cease-fire in Gaza and de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Netanyahu has vowed to “exact a heavy price” for any attack on Israel.
