A submarine armed with guided ballistic missiles has been sent to the Middle East. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has also ordered a group of ships including the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln to move to the area faster, the Pentagon said on Sunday.
The concentration of US forces comes at a time of unprecedented increase in tensions in the region.
As reported by the spokesman Pentagon Gen. Pat Ryder, Austin said in a telephone conversation with the Defense Secretary Israel Yoav Gallant that United States “will take all possible steps to defend Israel” and drew attention to “strengthening the US military potential in the region in the face of escalating tensions.”
The US military has already announced it will send additional fighter jets and warships to Middle East.
USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier (illustrative photo)DVIDSHUB.NET, US Navy/Nick Bauer
They are strengthening the potential, but they are seeking a truce
The Associated Press notes that the acceleration of the reinforcement of US forces in the Middle East coincides with Washington's pressure on Israel and the Palestinian Hamas to conclude a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. After the assassination in Tehran of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut, tensions in the region have reached a level not seen in a long time. Iran and Hezbollah have announced retaliation that could come at any time.
War in GazaPAP
Main image source: DVIDSHUB.NET, US Navy/Nick Bauer