WASHINGTON: The Pentagon has stated that US forces are strategically positioned to counter any potential attacks from Iran or its allied proxies against Israel.
Iran has announced plans to retaliate against Israel following the assassination of a Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran last month.
During a press conference, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh announced the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the US Central Command’s area of operations.
The carrier’s deployment aims to bolster defenses for Israel and enhance US military capabilities across the region amid rising tensions.
The USS Abraham Lincoln joins the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which is already stationed in the region. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had previously expedited the Lincoln’s deployment earlier this month as part of broader adjustments to the US military posture. These adjustments are intended to strengthen force protection, support Israel’s defense, and prepare for various potential scenarios, Singh explained.
Furthermore, an Air Force F-22 Raptor squadron has arrived, and the USS Georgia, a cruise missile submarine, is operating nearby. Singh noted that the presence of these forces might influence Iranian officials who have threatened strikes on Israel. She emphasized that the US forces are well-positioned to respond to any such threats from Iran or its proxies.
The Pentagon remains focused on de-escalating regional tensions, securing a ceasefire, and facilitating a hostage deal to end the war in Gaza.
US and Israeli defense ministers have been coordinating closely to deter attacks by Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, and other pro-Iran groups in light of recent high-profile assassinations attributed to Israel and the ongoing threat of retaliation
