Pentagon to deploy more forces to Middle East to deter Iran

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon on Friday approved the deployment of new naval and air forces to the Middle East in preparation to defend Israel and American troops in the region from an anticipated attack by Iran and militias it has armed across the region.

The deployments include an additional US fighter jet squadron along with Navy cruisers and destroyers capable of shooting down ballistic missiles, the department announced.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also approved the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which is currently in the Gulf of Oman along with five nearby destroyers. The Pentagon chief also signed off on readying additional land-based ballistic missile defense systems for deployment in case needed, the department announced.

“Secretary Austin has ordered adjustments to US military posture designed to improve US force protection, to increase support for the defense of Israel and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies,” Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said in a statement.

Why it matters: The preparations come as Iran and its proxy militias across the region have signaled a fierce and potentially unified retaliation for the assassination of a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon and Hamas’ top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in the Iranian capital this week.