The United States will deploy additional fighter jets and warships to the Middle East, the Pentagon announced on Friday.
Washington aims to strengthen its defenses in response to threats from Iran and its allies, Hezbollah and Hamas – the Palestinian group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the European Union.
Iran has vowed to respond to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, on July 31 in Tehran.
Tensions in the region are extremely high following the deaths of Haniyeh and a senior commander of the Lebanese group, Hezbollah.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has approved the deployment of additional U.S. Navy warships to the Middle East and Europe – vessels capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.
The U.S. will also send additional fighter jet squadrons to the Middle East.
“Austin has ordered changes in the positioning of U.S. military forces to enhance the protection of American forces, increase support for Israel’s defense, and ensure that the United States is ready to respond to any uncertainty,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
The Pentagon added that it will increase readiness to deploy more ground-based air defenses to protect against ballistic missiles.
The U.S. had already increased its military deployment before April 13, when Iran launched an attack on Israeli territory with drones and rockets. Israel intercepted nearly all of the almost 300 Iranian rockets and drones, thanks to assistance from the United States and other allies.
On Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the additional military deployment in support of Israel against such drone and missile threats, the White House said.
Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of killing Haniyeh and have vowed to retaliate. Israel has not claimed responsibility for his death, nor has it denied involvement.
