Amid tensions between Israel and Iran, USA has to ensure geopolitical dominance.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a guided missile submarine to the Middle East. It also wants the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to sail more quickly to the area, the US Defence Department has said.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told Austin on Sunday that Iran was preparing for a large-scale military attack on Israel, Axios reporter Barak Ravid posted on X, citing a source with knowledge of the call, reports Reuters.
US presence in the region will check Iran’s action against Israel and also deter any attacks of its old friend Israel. Even the entire Middle east is against Israel, US presence could be a major strength for Israel. Officials have been on the lookout for retaliatory strikes by both Iran and Hezbollah for the killings, and the US has been beefing up its presence in the region.
In a statement late Sunday, the Pentagon said Austin had sent the USS Georgia guided missile submarine to the region.
It had also ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, which is carrying F-35C fighter jets, to accelerate its journey there.
The ship was already on its way to replace another US ship in the region.
Ina peace effort, the moves coincide with the US and allied efforts to secure a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas on Thursday.
Its aim is to reduce regional tensions following the assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31 and a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut.
The call comes a day after an Israeli airstrike hit a school-turned-shelter in Gaza early Saturday, killing at least 80 people and wounding nearly 50 others.
Palestinian health authorities say it is one of the deadliest attacks of the 10-month Israel-Hamas war.
Meanwhile, International pressure mounted on Monday for a ceasefire in Gaza, with Britain, France and Germany issuing a joint plea for an end to fighting between Israel and Hamas with “no further delay”.
The call came a day after Palestinian militant group Hamas — whose October 7 attack on Israel triggered the war — urged mediators to implement a truce plan presented by US President Joe Biden instead of holding more talks.