In a drastic move, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of a missile-carrying submarine to the Middle East and increased deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group to the region.
The decision reflects the US’s serious preparations for the growing tensions, especially the threat that Iran could launch attacks against Israel. These steps not only demonstrate the US’s strong commitment to defending its allies but also send a clear message of readiness to respond to any possible threat.
According to the US Navy, the USS Georgia, a nuclear-powered cruise missile-equipped submarine, has been operating in the Mediterranean recently and has just completed training near Italy.
Mr. Austin ordered the submarine to enter the Middle East, according to the Pentagon. The movements of US missile submarines are rarely made public, while nuclear-powered vessels operate with almost complete secrecy.
The announcement of the US submarine’s movement is a clear message of deterrence to Iran and its affiliates, which the US and Israel believe are preparing for a large-scale attack on Israel.
Iran’s impending attack is seen as an inevitable response to Israel’s aggressive move, which killed Hezbollah’s top military commander in Lebanon last month.
Around the same time, Israel is suspected of carrying out the assassination of Hamas’ political leader in Tehran, an accusation Israel has not officially acknowledged. These events have not only heightened tensions in the region but also raised serious questions about the future of international relations and global security.
Austin’s announcement followed a call between the US defense secretary and his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant. They discussed “efforts to deter aggressive behavior by Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, and other Iran-aligned groups in the region,” according to the announcement.
Austin also ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to be expedited to the Middle East. The secretary of defense ordered the Lincoln strike group to arrive in the Middle East on August 2, but the ships stopped in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands along the way, according to the Navy.
Photo: US Navy
The Lincoln strike group includes the aircraft carrier, which operates with F-35C stealth fighters, along with several destroyers.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group has maintained a strong US presence in the Middle East waters for the past several weeks, reinforcing military and strategic power in the region. Meanwhile, the USS Wasp amphibious assault ship, with thousands of elite Marines ready to carry out special operations, has played a key role in the Mediterranean. These moves reflect the US’s readiness and ability to respond quickly to unexpected situations, maintaining regional stability in a time of great uncertainty.
