The United States is increasing its military presence in the Middle East, deploying additional warships and fighter jets to protect US personnel and defend Israel amid rising regional tensions, the Pentagon announced Friday. This move follows threats of retaliation from Iran and its allies after the assassinations of a Hamas leader in Tehran and a Hezbollah commander in Beirut, raising fears of a broader Middle East conflict.

"The Department of Defense continues to take steps to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Iran's partners and proxies," stated deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh.

"Since the horrific Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, the Secretary of Defense has reiterated that the United States will protect our personnel and interests in the region, including our ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel."

The aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln will replace one helmed by the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the region, Singh explained. Additionally, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered more ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the Middle East and areas under US European Command, along with a new fighter squadron.

Israel's killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut on Tuesday was in response to deadly rocket fire on the annexed Golan Heights. Hours later, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran, an incident Israel has not yet addressed.

A source close to Hezbollah disclosed that Iranian officials met with representatives of the "axis of resistance" in Tehran on Wednesday to discuss their response strategies, considering either a simultaneous retaliation by Iran and its allies or staggered responses from each party.

In April, Iran launched its first direct attack on Israeli soil, firing drones and missiles after an Israeli-attributed strike killed Revolutionary Guards at Tehran's consulate in Damascus. American forces assisted in Israel's defense during this attack.

"As we have demonstrated since October and again in April, the United States' global defense is dynamic and the Department of Defense retains the capability to deploy on short notice to meet evolving national security threats," Singh noted. "The United States also remains focused on de-escalating tensions in the region and pushing for a ceasefire to secure a hostage deal and end the war in Gaza."

The United States is increasing its military presence in the Middle East, deploying additional warships and fighter jets to protect US personnel and defend Israel amid rising regional tensions, the Pentagon announced Friday. This move follows threats of retaliation from Iran and its allies after the assassinations of a Hamas leader in Tehran and a Hezbollah commander in Beirut, raising fears of a broader Middle East conflict.

"The Department of Defense continues to take steps to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Iran's partners and proxies," stated deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh.

"Since the horrific Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, the Secretary of Defense has reiterated that the United States will protect our personnel and interests in the region, including our ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel."

The aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln will replace one helmed by the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the region, Singh explained. Additionally, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered more ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the Middle East and areas under US European Command, along with a new fighter squadron.

Israel's killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut on Tuesday was in response to deadly rocket fire on the annexed Golan Heights. Hours later, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran, an incident Israel has not yet addressed.

A source close to Hezbollah disclosed that Iranian officials met with representatives of the "axis of resistance" in Tehran on Wednesday to discuss their response strategies, considering either a simultaneous retaliation by Iran and its allies or staggered responses from each party.

In April, Iran launched its first direct attack on Israeli soil, firing drones and missiles after an Israeli-attributed strike killed Revolutionary Guards at Tehran's consulate in Damascus. American forces assisted in Israel's defense during this attack.

"As we have demonstrated since October and again in April, the United States' global defense is dynamic and the Department of Defense retains the capability to deploy on short notice to meet evolving national security threats," Singh noted. "The United States also remains focused on de-escalating tensions in the region and pushing for a ceasefire to secure a hostage deal and end the war in Gaza."