The United States has escalated its military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean, deploying additional naval forces in response to growing tensions in the region. The Pentagon announced on Sunday that Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group and the USS Georgia guided missile submarine to speed up their arrival in the area.
The move comes amid heightened concerns over potential retaliatory strikes from Iran and Hezbollah following the assassination of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. The deployment of these additional forces, including the F-35-equipped USS Abraham Lincoln, adds to the existing presence of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, marking a significant increase in US military capabilities in the region.
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that Austin had communicated with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, reaffirming the US’ commitment to Israeli security.
The US military buildup is seen by some as a necessary measure to protect American interests and allies, while others argue that it could exacerbate tensions and provoke further conflict. As the situation in the Middle East remains precarious, the presence of two US aircraft carriers and a guided missile submarine underscores the potential for the situation to escalate further.
