A guided missile submarine has been dispatched by the American Secretary of Defense to the Middle East. Additionally, the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group was instructed to move into the region more swiftly.
Following a conversation between Lloyd Austin and his Israeli counterpart, the directive was issued. It takes place in the midst of escalating hostilities as a result of the assassinations of prominent resistance commanders, more specifically Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
US Defense Secretary reaffirmed the American determination to preserve Israeli interests and security with all available means. In view of increasing hostilities in the area, Austin highlighted the bolstering of U.S. armed forces position and assets across the Middle East, according to an official announcement.
Based on a Pentagon online share, the nuclear-powered submarine USS Georgia had already arrived in the waters of the Mediterranean last month. This is while the US does not often make public announcements about the dispatch of its submarines.
Prior to being told to head to the conflict-stricken region, the Abraham Lincoln was in the Asia-Pacific. It took the place of the carrier-based strike unit USS Theodore Roosevelt, which was about to make its way home.
Austin stated last week that it was anticipated to reach the region by the last week of August. Strike planes F-35 and F/A-18 are stationed aboard the ship. The United States military has already declared that more fighter planes and cruisers will be dispatched to the region.
The goal of Washington’s troop mobility in the area is to strengthen Israeli defenses against potential Iranian attacks. The political head of Hamas, which controls Gaza, was killed in Iran late last month. Iran accuses Israel and vows to take military action. Tel Aviv refrained from assuming accountability.
Haniyeh was slain on the eve of the same day that an Israeli raid on Lebanese capital claimed the life of a top Hezbollah commander. The assassinations of Fuad Shukr, leading an organization hostile with Israel, raised fears that the Gaza struggle would turn into an extended war across the Middle East.
The US decision was made the day after an Israeli strike on a Gaza school that was being used as a refuge resulted in at least 90 deaths and close to 50 injuries.
The Department of Defense also said that the Secretary and his Israeli counterpar had talked about how critical it was to minimize injury to civilians. They emphasized the need of making headway in obtaining a truce and ensuring the release of captives detained in Gaza. Since Israel started its offensive on Gaza last year in response to a coordinated assault on Israel by Hamas, about 40,000 Palestinians have died. The previously pointless attempts to achieve a truce have been revived by US and other partners.