The U.S. is intently monitoring the scenario within the Middle East amid rising tensions, the Pentagon mentioned Tuesday.
“The Department of Defense continues to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East and take steps to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or its proxies,” spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder advised reporters.
The division’s current adjustment to the U.S. navy posture within the area has enabled the U.S. to bolster its power safety, enhance help for the protection of Israel, and to make sure the U.S. is ready to answer varied contingencies, he added.
The Pentagon introduced earlier this month that the U.S. will deploy extra navy property to the Middle East forward of potential retaliation by Iran towards Israel.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, geared up with F-35C fighters, to speed up transit to the Central Command space of accountability, including to capabilities already supplied by the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group.
Additionally, he ordered the USS Georgia (SSGN 729) guided missile submarine to the Central Command area.
‘FOCUSED ON DE-ESCALATING TENSIONS IN REGION’
Ryder mentioned the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group and the USS Georgia are transiting to the U.S. Central Command space of accountability, and “I do anticipate they’ll be arriving soon.”
“As you’ve heard us say previously, we remain intently focused on de-escalating tensions in the region while also remaining focused on securing a cease-fire as part of a hostage deal to bring all of the hostages home and end the war in Gaza,” Ryder mentioned.
Tensions are working excessive within the Middle East following the July 31 assassination of the Palestinian group Hamas‘s political chief Ismail Haniyeh within the Iranian capital of Tehran and Israel’s assassination of senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in an airstrike on a southern suburb of Beirut on July 30.
Hamas and Iran have accused Israel of finishing up Haniyeh’s assassination, whereas Tel Aviv has not confirmed or denied accountability.
Iran has vowed “harsh punishment” for Israel for Haniyeh’s killing on Iranian soil.
The escalation comes amid an ongoing Israeli offensive towards the Gaza Strip which has killed greater than 40,000 Palestinians following an assault on Oct. 7 final 12 months by Hamas that killed 1,139 Israelis.
Source: www.anews.com.tr