US is significantly boosting its military presence in the Middle East in response to heightened regional tensions between Iran and Israel, following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group, currently operating in the Gulf of Oman.
In addition to the carrier strike group, the Pentagon is sending a fighter squadron and additional warships, including destroyers and cruisers capable of ballistic missile defense, to the region helping Israel from any possible attacks by Iran and its proxies. The precise details of the warships involved have not been disclosed, though two US destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean participated in intercepting Iranian strikes against Israel in April.
The USS Wasp amphibious assault ship, already stationed in the region, is equipped with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and can facilitate the evacuation of US citizens from Lebanon if necessary. The US military’s commitment to defend Israel has been emphasized as “ironclad,” with missile defense forces on heightened alert.
Iran has vowed retaliation for the killing of Haniyeh, which occurred on July 31 in Tehran. Iran and its proxy in Gaza have blamed Israel for the assassination, although Israel has not confirmed involvement. The assassination followed the Israeli claim of having killed Fuad Shukr, a top military commander of Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The Pentagon stated that the new deployments aim to “improve US force protection, increase support for the defense of Israel, and ensure preparedness for various contingencies.” This move comes amid ongoing tensions in the region, exacerbated by recent conflicts and threats.
Despite the increased military presence, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh indicated that the US does not view escalation as inevitable, advocating for a ceasefire as a potential resolution. An Israeli delegation is scheduled to travel to Cairo for negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire and a hostage release deal.
The ongoing conflict began with a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in 1,200 deaths. Israel’s subsequent military operations in Gaza have claimed nearly 40,000 lives, according to Hamas-run health reports.