The U.S. military has announced the deployment of additional resources to the Middle East, including an aircraft carrier, amid rising concerns over the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. The Pentagon stated on Friday that it would send an extra fighter jet squadron along with naval cruisers and destroyers to the region.
“We have demonstrated since October and again in April that the U.S. global defense is dynamic, and that the department has the capability to deploy at short notice to meet emerging national security threats,” said Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh to reporters.
Singh added that the Secretary of Defense would initiate further troop placements to bolster the protection of American forces in the region, provide increased support for Israel’s defense, and ensure that the U.S. is ready to respond to the challenging situation.
The decision to enhance the American military presence in the Middle East followed high-level calls with Israeli officials. Earlier on the same day, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had a call with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant. A conversation took place on Thursday between U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Austin has “committed to Minister Gallant — and the President has committed to Netanyahu — that we will strengthen our protection of forces in the region,” Singh stated. “We stand with Israel in their self-defense, and that is something the Secretary reiterated to Minister Gallant on his call this morning.”
The increased military presence is the latest effort by the U.S. to deter attacks on Israel and avoid a regional war. However, this comes at a tense moment, as Israel’s controversial war in Gaza is nearing its 11th month, amidst ongoing fears of genocide and famine in the Palestinian territories.
The Biden administration has already signaled full support for Israel in the event of a larger war but has so far refrained from openly pressuring Israel to end the war in Gaza, despite criticizing the humanitarian suffering. President Biden, however, commented on the repercussions of recent killings, describing them as a setback for ongoing ceasefire negotiations. “It doesn’t help,” he said in a brief statement to the press.
The Pentagon’s announcement comes less than three days after the political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in Tehran. He was one of the key negotiators in efforts to secure a ceasefire, and his death is regarded as a significant setback for negotiations. Haniyeh was in Iran to attend the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected president.
The day before Haniyeh’s death, Fuad Shukr — a commander from the powerful Lebanese group Hezbollah — was also killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut. The Israeli Air Force claimed responsibility for the attack. Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran, has exchanged fire with Israel across the border since the war in Gaza began in October.
Despite the growing tensions, the Biden administration has expressed hope that the situation can be de-escalated. “I don’t believe that war is inevitable. I stand by that. I always believe there is space and opportunity for diplomacy,” Austin stated earlier this week.