More US Warships To Be Deployed To Middle East

The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is bound for the Middle East amid growing concern about the escalation of tensions in the region.

In the wake of the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran - which Iran blames on Israel - the Pentagon released a press statement saying US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin had approved the new measures as Washington sought to head off threatened reprisals.

The statement announced: "Secretary Austin has ordered adjustments to U.S. military posture designed to improve U.S. force protection, to increase support for the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies."

As per Friday's briefing by Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh, the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group will replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group currently on deployment.

Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3 includes flagship USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), and the guided-missile destroyers of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21.

The statement went on: "Additionally, Secretary Austin has ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command regions. The Department is also taking steps to increase our readiness to deploy additional land-based ballistic missile defense."

An extra fighter squadron will also be deployed to the Middle East to upgrade defensive air support capability, the Pentagon confirmed.

The statement added: "As we have demonstrated since October and again in April, the United States' global defense is dynamic and the Department of Defense retains the capability to deploy on short notice to meet evolving national security threats.

"The United States also remains intently focused on de-escalating tensions in the region and pushing for a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal to bring the hostages home and end the war in Gaza."

America's military presence in the region had already been upgraded following last October's terror attack and Israel's military campaign in Gaza. On April 13, Iran launched an aerial attack on Israeli territory; however, almost all of the 300-plus drones and missiles launched were intercepted before they could reach their targets with the help of the US and other allies.

There are concerns that future strikes involving Hezbollah in Lebanon could provide a significant challenge to Israeli defences, given the group's large arsenal and geographical proximity.

Last week Israel killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut – Hezbollah’s second-in-command – in Beirut; it said the move was a response to rocket attacks on the annexed Golan Heights.

Haniyeh’s demise the following day has not been officially claimed by Israel; however, Iran and Hamas have both accused Israel of carrying out the killing and have pledged to retaliate.