US deploys assault ship to Mediterranean to curb Israel-Lebanon conflict escalation

The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp has entered the eastern Mediterranean Sea this week as part of the U.S. strategy to prevent the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon from expanding into a broader regional war. While the Wasp is capable of evacuating civilians in the event of full-scale war, its primary purpose is to serve as a deterrent. This deployment mirrors the previous stationing of the USS Bataan following the October 7 Hamas attack. The USS Wasp is accompanied by the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill and the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York. This move comes amidst increasing cross-border strikes between Hezbollah and Israel since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. U.S. officials emphasize the importance of this positioning for deterrence and containment of the conflict.