US Deploys Warships and Fighter Squadron to Middle East

The United States is deploying a carrier strike group, a fighter squadron, and additional warships to the Middle East in anticipation of possible Iranian retaliation for the recent killing of a senior Hamas leader in Tehran.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has directed the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group, which is currently operating in the Gulf of Oman, as per a statement from deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh.

Additionally, destroyers and cruisers with ballistic missile defense capabilities are being sent to the Middle East and the Mediterranean Sea. While the specific warships were not named, it is noted that two US destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean were involved in intercepting an Iranian strike on Israel in April.

Austin has also ordered the deployment of a fighter squadron to the region, Singh confirmed.

The US already has the USS Wasp amphibious assault ship in the area, which works with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. This unit is prepared to carry out an evacuation of US citizens in Lebanon if required.

Iran has pledged to retaliate against Israel for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Israel has not commented on the incident.