The Pentagon announced Friday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a significant increase in U.S. military presence in the Middle East in response to the growing threat from Iran.
The strategic move includes the deployment of additional soldiers, ships, fighter jets and enhanced land-based missile defenses. Assistant Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said the US will bolster naval power in Europe and Central Command's region with additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers. according to In the New York Post.
Pentagon to deploy 'land-based' firepower, additional troops to Middle East to counter Iranian threat https://t.co/NnUmlo4dfE pic.twitter.com/hzyXIZGJFI
— New York Post (@nypost) August 3, 2024
“[S]”Secretary Austin has ordered additional cruisers and destroyers with ballistic missile defense capabilities for U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command regions,” Singh said in a statement, according to the New York Post. “The Department of Defense is also taking steps to enhance readiness to deploy additional ground-based ballistic missile defense systems.”
In response to rising tensions following the killings of leading Hamas and Hezbollah figures and concerns about possible retaliatory attacks by Iran and its allies, the US will send additional fighter jets to the Middle East and replace the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group with the more capable Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, the media reported. (Related article: Israel targets Hezbollah base amid rising tensions)
ARLINGTON, VA – JULY 25: U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin attends a press conference at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, July 25, 2024. Secretary Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Charles Brown held a press conference and answered questions from the press. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
According to Singh, these “posturing adjustments” by Austin are aimed at strengthening protection for U.S. forces, strengthening Israel's defenses and preparing for various contingencies, reported the New York Post. Earlier this month, U.S. forces in the Mediterranean successfully intercepted multiple missiles and drones fired by Iranian-backed groups aimed at Israeli targets. With the Israeli Defense Forces on high alert, the U.S. continues to work to de-escalate tensions.
