The US Defense Department announced plans to relocate a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and keep an aircraft carrier stationed in the region.
The strategic action comes as President Joe Biden fulfills his commitment to fortify American military support for Israel amid escalating tensions with Iran and its allied forces.
The Pentagon confirmed that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered additional ballistic missile defence-capable cruisers and destroyers to both Europe and the Middle East.
Moreover, the US is taking steps to send more land-based ballistic missile defence weapons to the region.
These adjustments are prompted by rising concerns over increasing violence in the Middle East, which has intensified following recent Israeli strikes on Hamas and Hezbollah leaders that have resulted in threats of retaliation.
In a phone call on Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Biden discussed the new US military deployments intended to safeguard against potential missile and drone attacks.
The White House maintained that these actions are part of the US's ongoing commitment to Israel's security.
In April, US forces successfully intercepted numerous missiles and drones fired by Iran towards Israel, thwarting almost all of them.
The recent assassinations of prominent figures, including Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut, have heightened fears of a broader conflict erupting in the region.
Iran has issued stern warnings in response to the attacks on its territory, further complicating the already volatile situation. Israel, determined to retaliate against Hamas for the group’s assault on October 7, has vowed to target its leaders.
To reinforce its military posture, the Pentagon has ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East, replacing the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group currently in the Gulf of Oman, which is scheduled to return home later this summer.
The decision reflects a long-term strategy to maintain a continuous carrier presence in the region, serving as a deterrent against Iranian aggression through at least next year.
Details regarding the origin and deployment location of the incoming fighter jet squadron have not been disclosed by the Pentagon. Many allies in the region have previously accommodated US military forces but often prefer such arrangements to remain confidential.
In a statement, the White House reaffirmed Biden’s commitment to Israel’s security against all threats from Iran, including its proxy groups Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh indicated that additional military support is being mobilised, with Secretary Austin directing multiple force movements to bolster protection for US troops stationed in the region.
Military officials are evaluating various options to enhance US capabilities, including the deployment of additional ships, fighter aircraft squadrons, air defence systems, and unmanned assets.
However, the specifics of these movements are often kept under wraps due to the sensitivity of host nations regarding the presence of US forces.
Currently, the US maintains a consistent naval presence in the Middle East and the eastern Mediterranean Sea, which includes two Navy destroyers, the USS Roosevelt and the USS Bulkeley, alongside the amphibious assault ships USS Wasp and USS New York.
The Wasp and New York are part of an amphibious-ready group that could be mobilised if the evacuation of US personnel becomes necessary.
Additionally, a US official confirmed that two Navy destroyers presently in the Middle East are set to move northward through the Red Sea towards the Mediterranean.
At least one of these vessels is expected to remain in the Mediterranean Sea if required, although the official spoke on the condition of anonymity regarding troop movements.
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