US sends more troops to Middle East

U.S. warships and fighter jets are heading to the Middle East and nearby regions to bolster American support for Israel’s defense as both countries prepare for a possible military strike from Iran. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed orders late Friday to move additional assets and capabilities to parts of the Middle East and Europe after Tehran and its proxies vowed to retaliate for last week’s killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon and the killing of the Hamas terror group’s political leader on Iranian soil. The U.S. moves include sending the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East, as well as Navy cruisers and destroyers capable of shooting down ballistic missiles. In addition, the U.S. is sending an additional fighter squadron to the region and is taking steps to allow for the deployment of land-based missile defense capabilities. The Pentagon did not say when the various ships and aircraft would be in place, but in a statement Friday it called the moves necessary to “mitigate the potential for regional escalation by Iran or its partners and proxies.” The statement also said the additional forces to the region are intended to “improve the protection of U.S. forces, increase support for Israel’s defense, and ensure the United States is ready for a range of contingencies.” Austin issued the new orders hours after speaking with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant and pledging additional support to Israel.