Pentagon chief orders submarine to the Middle East, tells aircraft carrier to hasten its transit
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a move reflecting mounting tensions in the Middle East, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a guided missile submarine to the region and directed the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to expedite its deployment. The Defense Department announced the decision on Sunday, underscoring the escalating concerns over potential retaliation following the assassinations of high-ranking Hamas and Hezbollah figures.
The deployments come as the U.S. and its allies press for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to halt the ongoing conflict. The recent assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut have significantly heightened the risk of regional escalation.
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that Austin had spoken with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant earlier in the day, reaffirming America’s commitment to Israel’s security. He emphasized that the U.S. is “strengthening its military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in light of escalating regional tensions.”
The USS Lincoln, currently stationed in the Asia Pacific, had already been ordered to the region to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier strike group. Austin initially announced that the Lincoln would reach the Central Command area by the end of the month. However, the new order accelerates its deployment.
Details regarding the speed of the Lincoln’s transit or the USS Georgia guided missile submarine’s arrival time remain unclear. The carrier is equipped with F-35 fighter jets and F/A-18 fighter aircraft, bolstering its air power capabilities.
During the conversation with Gallant, Austin and the Israeli Defense Minister also discussed Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza and stressed the paramount importance of minimizing civilian casualties.
This latest escalation comes on the heels of a deadly Israeli airstrike on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza early Saturday, resulting in the deaths of at least 80 people and injuries to nearly 50 others, according to Palestinian health authorities. This attack is considered one of the deadliest incidents of the 10-month Israel-Hamas war.
The combined deployment of a submarine and the accelerated movement of the aircraft carrier signifies a significant escalation in U.S. military presence in the region. The heightened tensions and the threat of retaliatory strikes from Iran and Hezbollah create a volatile situation that demands immediate attention from international stakeholders.
