U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of a guided missile submarine to the Middle East, as the region braces for a possible attack by Iran and its allies over the killing of senior members of terror organisations Hamas and Hezbollah. While the USS Georgia, a nuclear-powered submarine, was already in the Mediterranean Sea in July, it was a rare move to publicly announce the deployment of a submarine.
In a statement after Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart, the Pentagon said Austin had ordered the Abraham Lincoln strike group to accelerate its deployment to the region.
“Secretary Austin reiterated the United States’ commitment to take every possible step to defend Israel and noted the strengthening of U.S. military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in light of escalating regional tensions,” the statement added.
The U.S. military had already said it will deploy additional fighter jets and Navy warships to the Middle East as Washington seeks to bolster Israeli defenses.
Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Iran-backed Hamas, was assassinated in the Iranian capital Tehran on July 31, an attack that drew threats of revenge by Iran against Israel, which is fighting the Palestinian Islamist group in Gaza. Iran blamed Israel for the killing. Israel has not claimed responsibility.
The assassination and the killing of the senior military commander of the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, Fuad Shukr, by Israel in a strike on Beirut, have fueled concern the conflict in Gaza was turning into a wider Middle East war.
Iran has said the U.S. bears responsibility in the assassination of Haniyeh because of its support for Israel.
The United Kingdom, France and Germany have called on Iran and its allies to refrain from attacks against Israel, as this would further escalate tensions and jeopardise the chances of a ceasefire and the release of hostages. The leaders of the three nations said in a joint statement released on Monday by the British government.
Team Bharatshakti
(With inputs from Reuters)
