The United States has reportedly sent more fighter jets, missiles and warships to the Middle East in anticipation of an Iranian attack on Israel, the Pentagon disclosed on Friday. This is despite President Joe Biden’s call for a ceasefire in the media.
Iran is expected to retaliate against Israel for the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Haniyeh was in Iran on Wednesday to attend the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian. He was killed in the Iraninan capital inside a Guest House shortly after he returned from the inauguration
The Department of Defense continues to take steps to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Iran’s partners and proxies. 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 defence of Israel, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said in a statement.
According to the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to Europe and the Middle East.
Israel also recently killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. Hezbollah, designated a terrorist group by the US, Israel and other European countries, is believed to be funded by Iran.
The killing of both Haniyeh and Shukr has raised concerns about further escalations in the Middle East.
At least 39,480 people, including 16,314 children, have been killed and 91,128 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza since October 7, 2023.
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