Amid Regional Tensions: US To Send Strike Guided Missile Submarine To The Middle East

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U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has directed the deployment of a guided missile submarine and the Abraham Lincoln strike group to the Middle East, the Pentagon confirmed on Sunday night.

This information was conveyed through a statement that recapped a conversation between Austin and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The statement highlighted that “Secretary Austin reiterated the United States’ commitment to take every possible step to defend Israel and noted the strengthening of US military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in light of escalating regional tensions.”

To reinforce this commitment, Austin has instructed the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, which includes F-35C fighters, to expedite its journey to the Central Command area of responsibility, augmenting the forces already provided by the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group.

Additionally, Austin has directed the USS Georgia (SSGN 729) guided missile submarine to move to the Central Command region, as stated by the Pentagon.

The discussion between Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant also covered Israel’s military activities in Gaza, emphasizing the need to minimize civilian casualties, progress towards a ceasefire, the release of hostages in Gaza, and efforts to deter aggression from Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, and other Iran-aligned groups in the region.

Previously, the Pentagon had revealed that the U.S. Defense Department would be relocating a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and maintaining an aircraft carrier in the area as part of its strategy to reduce the risk of regional escalation by Iran or its allies and proxies.

Earlier reports from Axios indicated that during their discussion, Gallant informed Austin that Iran’s military preparations suggest the country is preparing for a significant attack.

The report, citing two individuals with direct knowledge of the matter, stated that the Israeli intelligence community now believes that Iran is on the verge of launching a direct attack on Israel in retaliation for the killing of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, with the attack likely to occur within days.

Iranian Parliament member Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani warned on Saturday that the anticipated Iranian assault on Israel could last for several days. Ardestani, a member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security Commission, added that Iran “is certainly prepared for the consequences of such an attack and will be ready for any subsequent developments.”

When asked on Saturday night what his message to Iran was, U.S. President Joe Biden responded, “Don’t,” as he was leaving a church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

On Friday, the deputy commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards stated that the Islamic Republic is prepared to execute an order from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to “harshly punish” Israel for the killing of Haniyeh.

“The Supreme Leader’s orders regarding the harsh punishment of Israel and revenge for the blood of martyr Ismail Haniyeh are clear and explicit… and they will be implemented in the best possible way,” said the deputy commander, Ali Fadavi.

Israel has not commented on Haniyeh’s death in Tehran, but Iran and Hamas have attributed the incident to Israel and have vowed to retaliate.

{Matzav.com Israel}

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