The United States is strengthening its military presence in the Middle East to protect American citizens, support Israel, and promote de-escalation through diplomacy and deterrence.
To reinforce these objectives, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of additional ballistic missile defense destroyers, fighter squadrons, tanker aircraft, and B-52 long-range strike bombers to the region.
In an official statement, the Department of Defense (DoD) explained, “In keeping with our commitments to the protection of US citizens and forces in the Middle East, the defense of Israel, and de-escalation through deterrence and diplomacy, the Secretary of Defense ordered the deployment of additional ballistic missile defence destroyers, fighter squadron and tanker aircraft, and several US Air Force B-52 long-range strike bombers to the region. These forces will begin to arrive in the coming months as the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group prepares to depart.”
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The DoD added, “These deployments build on the recent decision to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defence system to Israel as well as DoD’s sustained Amphibious Ready Group Marine Expeditionary Unit (ARG/MEU) posture in the Eastern Mediterranean. These movements demonstrate the flexible nature of the US global defence posture and the US capability to deploy worldwide on short notice to meet evolving national security threats.”
The statement also reiterated Secretary Austin’s commitment to defending US personnel, stating, “Secretary Austin continues to make clear that should Iran, its partners, or its proxies use this moment to target American personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take every measure necessary to defend our people.”
This move follows Austin’s conversation with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant on Thursday, where they discussed options for de-escalation amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East. Their conversation emphasized the US’s commitment to Israel’s security, especially in response to threats from Iran and its proxies.
Austin shared on X, “I spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today to discuss opportunities for regional de-escalation. I reaffirmed that the United States remains fully prepared to defend US personnel, Israel, and partners across the region against threats from Iran and Iran-backed proxies.”
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