The Pentagon says the United States is increasing its military presence in the Middle East to defend Israel from possible attacks by Iran and its proxies in the coming days, as well as to protect American troops.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Friday that he has ordered more ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers for the Middle East and Europe. An additional fighter jet squadron will also be deployed to the Middle East. The U.S. is also “taking steps to increase its readiness to deploy additional ground-based ballistic missile defenses,” Austin added.
The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group will also be moved to the Middle East to “maintain a carrier strike group presence.” It will replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group after its deployment ends.
Tensions in the Middle East reached a critical point this week after top leaders of the militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah were killed and Iran and its proxies vowed to retaliate. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Saturday that Tehran would retaliate “strictly and in an appropriate time, place and manner.” Reuters reported.
On Thursday night, President Biden reiterated his commitment to support Israel in a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Friday morning, Austin also “reaffirmed US support for Israel’s security” to Israeli Defense Minister Yves Gallant, according to Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh.
Austin said in a statement on Friday that while the United States is taking additional steps to support Israel, its priority is to prevent a wider war in the Middle East.
“The U.S. is also very focused on de-escalating tensions in the region and bringing hostages home and pushing for a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal to end the war in Gaza,” Austin said.
Israel had previously vowed to kill Hamas leaders in response to the group’s October 7 attack. The current conflict between Israel and Hamas and the war in Gaza has been going on for about 10 months. It remains to be seen how the recent massacres will affect the continued denial of the ceasefire and the release of hostages.
The heightened tensions also come nearly four months after Iran and Israel were in direct conflict over the deaths of several Iranian military personnel in Syria. Iran blamed Israel and fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel from Iranian territory. American forces played an important role in killing them.