US Boosts west Asia military; UK, France, Germany warn Iran over Israel tensions

The Pentagon announced that the US is enhancing its military presence in West Asia amid rising regional tensions, including deploying an additional guided missile submarine. On August 12, the UK, France, and Germany issued a joint statement praising the efforts of Qatar, Egypt, and the US to negotiate a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed deep concern about the escalating situation and called for Iran and its allies to avoid actions that could further inflame tensions and hinder peace efforts.

The Pentagon’s statement coincided with a call between US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, emphasizing the US’s commitment to Israel’s defense. Austin has expedited the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and ordered the USS Georgia (SSGN 729) guided missile submarine to the Central Command area. Discussions also covered Israel’s operations in Gaza, efforts to mitigate civilian harm, and strategies to deter aggression from Iran, Hezbollah, and other Iran-aligned groups.

Iran has vowed retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, attributing it to Israeli actions. This follows the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack in Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and around 250 hostages.

US President Joe Biden, along with leaders from Egypt and Qatar, has urged both Israel and Hamas to resume ceasefire negotiations on August 15 in Doha or Cairo. The mediators are prepared to present a “final bridging proposal” to resolve remaining issues and implement the ceasefire deal.

Meanwhile, on Sunday night, Israel’s Defence Forces reported that approximately 30 rockets were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel. Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for the attack, which followed an Israeli strike on Ma’aroub in southern Lebanon that injured 12 people, including six children. The IDF noted that some rockets fell into open areas and no injuries were reported from the recent rocket fire.