The United States is planning to send more combat aircraft to the Middle East amid rising tensions, the New York Times reported on Friday citing American officials. One military official revealed that the country’s forces located in the aforementioned region are taking “necessary measures” to boost combat readiness and defend both the US and its partners from potential attacks Iran and its proxies might conduct. Another source shared that the number of additional planes is yet to be decided. Furthermore, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is yet to give his final blessing for the motion. Meanwhile, Department of Defense Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said that the US plans to bolster “force protection” in the Middle East.
USS Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to deploy to the Middle East
West Coast carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is setting sail to the Middle East from the Pacific to relieve the carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and its strike group. Meanwhile, the Navy is sending additional ships to the region following threats from Iran, Pentagon officials announced on Friday evening. “To maintain a carrier strike group presence in the Middle East, the Secretary has ordered the Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to replace the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, currently on deployment in the Central Command area of responsibility,” reads the Pentagon statement. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, “has ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command regions. The Department is also taking steps to increase our readiness to deploy additional land-based ballistic missile defense.” The U.S. moves to bolster military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East follows reports that Iranian military officials and proxy forces in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen will meet to discuss options to retaliate against Israel following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. “Iran and the resistance members will conduct a thorough assessment after the meeting in Tehran to find the best and most effective way to retaliate against [Israel],” a senior Iranian official told newswire Reuters. The Pentagon also announced the deployment of unspecified fighter squadrons headed to the region.“The Secretary of Defense has reiterated that the United States will protect our personnel and interests in the region, including our ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel,” reads the statement from the Pentagon.