The United States is increasing its military presence in the Middle East as a defensive measure aimed at reducing regional tensions, a White House official said on Sunday.
Regional tensions have escalated following the killing on Wednesday of a leader of the Palestinian Islamic group Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, in the Iranian capital Tehran, one day after an Israeli attack in Beirut, Lebanon, killed Fuad Shukri, a senior military commander of the Lebanese group Hezbollah. Both groups are supported by Iran.
Concerns are growing that Israel’s war against Palestinian militants in Gaza could escalate into a broader conflict in the Middle East.
Iran and Hamas have blamed Israel for Haniyeh’s killing and, along with Hezbollah, have vowed revenge. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility.
The Pentagon announced on Friday that it will deploy additional fighter jets and naval warships to the region.
“The overall goal is to lower the temperature in the region, deter and defend against attacks, and avoid regional conflict,” said Jonathan Finer, Deputy National Security Advisor at the White House, in an interview with CBS.
The United States and Israel are preparing for any possible scenario, Finer added.
He noted that the risk of igniting a regional conflict was very real in April when Iran launched a drone and missile attack on Israeli territory.
The Iranian strike followed a suspected Israeli attack on the Tehran consulate in Damascus, Syria, on April 1, which killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
“The United States wants to be prepared if this situation arises again,” Finer added.
U.S. President Joe Biden expressed hope on Saturday that Iran would pull back despite its threat to retaliate for Haniyeh’s killing.
“This is not a prediction of future events. It’s careful planning for them and for our government,” Finer said on CBS.
