UNITED States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a missile submarine to the Middle East.
Austin told the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to sail quickly to the area, according to the Defense Department.
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The Defense Secretary ordered the guided missile submarine to sail quickly to the area, the Associated Press first reported.
The Lincoln is already in the Asia Pacific to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
It was scheduled to arrive in the Middle East at the end of the month, but Austin’s new order may mean its arrival will come sooner.
Austin spoke to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday to discuss security strategies.
The Pentagon’s press secretary said in a statement that the meeting was meant “to take every possible step to defend Israel and noted the strengthening of U.S. military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in light of escalating regional tensions.”
Michael Kurilla, commander of US Central Command, is also reportedly in the Middle East, although the exact location he’s visiting hasn’t been disclosed.
TENSIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
The region has experienced turmoil due to the war between Israel and Hamas.
The assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh has increased tensions as US government officials continue to push for a cease-fire deal.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard blamed Haniyeh’s death on Israel and accused the US of supporting it.
Haniyeh was in Iran when he was assassinated while attending the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian.
“The action was designed and carried out by the Zionist regime and supported by the US,” Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said in a statement.
They added that they were prepared to push “harsh punishment in the suitable time, place, and capacity.”
The Guard also warned of “blood vengeance” and said that killing was “certain.”
Iran’s leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to retaliate against Israel after the assassination.
Israel has not confirmed or denied involvement in Haniyeh’s death.
As a retaliation attack looms, the US embassy in Lebanon urged citizens to flee the country.
Iran’s increased involvement in the Israel-Hamas war could jeopardize a cease-fire deal.
Timeline of recent events in the Middle East
Tensions have risen in the Middle East due to Iran’s involvment in the Israel-Hamas war. Key events in this conflict are listed below,
- October 7, 2023 – Hamas attacked Israel killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages.
- October 8, 2023 – Lebanese militant group Hezbollah joins the war in support of Hamas
- April 1, 2024 – Two Iranian generals are killed in Syria and the country blames Israel
- April 13, 2024 – Iran launches a drone strike on Israel, marking the first direct fire between the two countries
- July 31, 2024 – Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is assassinated in Iran and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard blames Israel for the attack
- August 5, 2024 – US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin meets with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to discuss security strategies
- August 11, 2024 – Austin orders the acceleration of an aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East
IRAN’S MISSILE STRIKE
The assassination occurred after Iran launched a missile strike on Israel on April 13.
Iran fired 170 drones, over 30 cruise missiles, and more than 120 ballistic missiles, according to the Associated Press.
The strike marked the first direct fire between the two countries.
Israel said 99% of the missiles and drones were intercepted.
President Biden said US forces helped Israel defend itself against the attack and pledged to develop a unified response to the conflict.
The Iranian attack was condemned by the United Nations chief and foreign officials.
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Two weeks before the attack, a suspected Israeli strike killed two Iranian generals in Syria.
Iran doesn’t recognize Israel and supports Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
