U.S. Increases Military Presence in the Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
- Pentagon sends submarine and speeds up aircraft carrier to the Middle East.
- U.S. Defense Secretary orders military reinforcements in the region.
- Tensions escalate as military presence increases in the Middle East.
WASHINGTON — In a significant escalation of military readiness, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the USS Georgia guided missile submarine to the Middle East and expedited the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group. This decision comes as the U.S. and its allies advocate for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, following the recent assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut. The U.S. is on high alert for potential retaliatory actions from Iran and Hezbollah. Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, confirmed that Austin communicated with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, reaffirming America's commitment to Israel's defense and highlighting the bolstering of U.S. military capabilities in the region. The USS Lincoln, currently in the Asia Pacific, is set to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which is returning home. While Austin previously indicated the Lincoln would arrive by the end of the month, the specifics of the expedited order remain unclear. The USS Lincoln is equipped with advanced F-35 and F/A-18 fighter jets, enhancing its operational capacity. However, details regarding the USS Georgia's arrival timeline were not disclosed. The discussions between Austin and Gallant also touched on Israel's military operations in Gaza, emphasizing the need to minimize civilian casualties amid ongoing conflict. This military buildup follows a devastating Israeli airstrike on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza, which resulted in at least 80 fatalities and numerous injuries, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the protracted Israel-Hamas conflict.