The Mail Online reports that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who indicated that Iran is preparing for a large-scale attack in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. This incident, along with the killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, has raised concerns about a broader conflict in the Middle East. Austin reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to defend Israel and noted the increased military presence in the region due to rising tensions. The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, equipped with stealth F-35C jets, is being deployed to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt, while the USS Georgia submarine is currently in the Mediterranean. The U.S. is taking these steps in anticipation of potential Iranian retaliation.
The Mail Online reports: The move came just hours after Austin spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, announced.
During that conversation, Gallant told Austin that Iranian military preparations suggest that the country is getting ready for a large-scale attack in retaliation for the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh – the political leader of Hamas, Axios reports.
His assassination, as well as that of Hezbollah’s senior military commander Fuad Shukr by Israel in a strike on Beirut, have fueled concern of a larger war within the Middle East.
Austin then reiterated America’s commitment to ‘take every possible step to defend Israel and noted the strengthening of US military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in light of escalating regional tensions,’ Ryder said.
The Lincoln, which has already been stationed in the Asia Pacific, had already been deployed to the region to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier strike group, which is scheduled to begin heading home from the Middle East.
Austin said last week that the Lincoln – which operates with stealth F-35C fighter jets, as well as several destroyers – would arrive in the region by the end of the month.
It is unclear how much quicker the Lincoln would arrive.
Meanwhile, the USS Georgia, a nuclear-powered submarine armed with cruise missiles has been operating in the Mediterranean Sea in recent days, according to the Navy.
It is rare for the US to announce such ship movements, but officials have been gearing up for an Iranian attack on Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas’ political leader in Tehran.