In a significant development related to tensions between Israel and Iran, the United States of America has decided to enhance its military presence in the Middle East, announced the Pentagon on Friday.
This announcement comes amidst the time when Iran and its allies have called for revenge for the killings of a Hamas leader in Tehran and a Hezbollah commander in Beirut, heightening concerns about a wider Middle East conflict.
Issuing a statement, deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh said ‘The Department of Defense continues to take steps to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Iran’s partners and proxies.’
In additon, the defense secretary also emphasised that US will continue to protect their personnel & interests in the region.
Weapons To Be Deployed By USA?
Meanwhile, defense secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of deployed additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the Middle East and in areas, which come under US European Command. Besides cruisers & destroyers, Austin has also called for the deployment of new fighter squadron.
In the meantime, the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group will now be replaced with USS Theodore Roosevelt in the region of middle east.
Earlier on Wednesday, a source trusted by Hezbollah has told AFP, that Iranian officials have recently conducted a meeting with representatives of the so-called ‘axis of resistance.’ This group is opposed to Israel’s interest. It is backed by Tehran. In this meeting, the future course of actions were discussed.
‘Two scenarios were discussed: a simultaneous response from Iran and its allies or a staggered response from each party.’ revealed AFP’s source.
Previously in April, Iran executed its first direct attack on Israeli soil by launching a barrage of drones and missiles in retaliation for a alleged Israel strike that had killed Revolutionary Guards at Tehran’s consulate in Damascus. At that time, American forces aided Israel in defending the attack.
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Talking about April attack, Singh said ‘As we have demonstrated since October and again in April, the United States’ global defense is dynamic and the Department of Defense retains the capability to deploy on short notice to meet evolving national security threats.’
