The United States is sending submarines and aircraft carriers to the Middle East.
The USA remains Israel's most important ally despite smaller tensions. Despite Iran threatening a major attack in the Middle East, war preparations are underway there. But Washington is also active, dispatching an atomic submarine and another aircraft carrier to the region.
In anticipation of an expected Iranian counterattack on Israel, the U.S. military is further bolstering its presence in the Middle East. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of the nuclear-powered submarine "USS Georgia," and the aircraft carrier "USS Abraham Lincoln" and its escort ships are to speed up their transit to the region, the Pentagon announced. The aircraft carrier, equipped with F-35 fighter jets, will join the existing aircraft carrier group "USS Theodore Roosevelt" in the region.
In a conversation with his Israeli counterpart Joav Galant, Minister Austin reaffirmed the United States' commitment to "take every possible step to defend Israel" in light of the "escalating regional tensions," the Pentagon said further.
The U.S. military's nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, each over 300 meters long, are equipped with dozens of combat aircraft and accompanied by destroyers and other warships. According to a U.S. military website, the approximately 110-meter-long submarine "USS Georgia" can be equipped with up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Just over ten days ago, Defense Minister Austin announced the deployment of additional destroyers capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, as well as another fighter squadron, to the Middle East. Steps are also being taken to "increase the readiness for the deployment of additional land-based ballistic missile defense systems," a Pentagon statement said further.
Following the killing of Hamas' external operations chief during a visit to Tehran, a Iranian counterattack is feared. It is expected that the USA will support Israel in defending against incoming rockets and drones. The USA and its allies also supported Israel in April when Iran launched its first direct attack on Israel, firing 330 rockets, cruise missiles, and drones at the Jewish state.
The European Union, expressing concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East, issued a statement expressing solidarity with the security of its ally, Israel. In response to the potential Iranian counterattack, the European Union presented a joint resolution at the United Nations Security Council, urging all parties to deescalate the situation and uphold international peace and security.
