Details of the Pentagon’s military reinforcements in the Middle East
The United States is bolstering its military presence in the Middle East, as tensions rise over threats from Iran and its allies to carry out attacks against Israel.
On Sunday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a phone call with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Galant, in which he affirmed the US commitment to taking all possible steps to protect Israel, according to a statement issued by the Pentagon.
These moves came after Iran vowed revenge following the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran late last month, after he attended the inauguration of the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian.
A senior Hezbollah military commander was also assassinated in an Israeli airstrike on southern Beirut, which also killed an Iranian military adviser.
On Friday, the US Department of Defense confirmed that it would increase its defensive capabilities in the Middle East, including sending additional fighter jets and warships, and stepping up the US military’s readiness to deploy new ground-based missile defense systems in the region.
According to Axios website, who quoted unnamed sources on Sunday that Israeli intelligence believes that Iran may launch an attack on Israel in the coming days.
During the call with Gallant, Austin stressed the importance of strengthening US forces in the Middle East amid rising regional tensions.
As part of this commitment, Austin ordered the expedited deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, equipped with F-35C fighter jets, to the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility in the Middle East.
The USS Abraham Lincoln is one of the most powerful Nimitz-class aircraft carriers in the US Navy, and Austin has also ordered the deployment of the USS Georgia, a nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine capable of launching ballistic missiles.
Last week, the United States bolstered its presence in the Middle East by sending F-22 Raptor fighter jets as part of a troop buildup in the region to counter Iranian threats.
The F-22 Raptor is an advanced fighter aircraft with stealth capabilities and high speed, and is a key element in the US Air Force strategy.
The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt has also been deployed to the region, adding to US military strength there, as the carrier hosts a variety of combat aircraft.
The United States has maintained a strong military presence in the Middle East for decades, with troops deployed in more than a dozen countries and naval forces in the region’s waters.
According to a recent report, the United States has military facilities in at least 19 locations in Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Qatar hosts the regional headquarters of US Central Command (CENTCOM), while Bahrain hosts the largest number of permanently assigned US personnel and is home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
