US to send submarine to Middle East in response to Hamas and Hezbollah threats against Israel

Radio Monumental

Washington.-US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of a guided-missile submarine to the Middle East and reiterated the Biden administration’s commitment to defending Israel, the Pentagon said Sunday.

The order came amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran over the killing of a Hamas leader and a Hezbollah commander.

Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder said in a statement that Austin spoke on Sunday with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, to whom he reiterated the United States’ commitment “to take all possible measures to defend Israel.”

Austin also highlighted the strengthening of the US military’s posture and capabilities across the Middle East “in light of rising regional tensions.” Part of this commitment is the deployment of the guided missile submarine USS Georgia to the region.

Austin also ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, equipped with F-35C fighter jets, to expedite its transit to the U.S. Central Command area of ​​responsibility, adding to the response capability already provided by the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier.

Last week, the Pentagon had announced that the Lincoln would arrive in the area by the end of the month.

Tensions between Iran and Israel escalated on July 31, when an attack – not claimed or denied by Israel – killed the former leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, while he was visiting Tehran.

Since then, and given that hours earlier an Israeli bombing in Beirut killed Hezbollah’s number two, Fuad Shukr, the Middle East has been waiting for Iranian or Hezbollah retaliation against Israeli territory for both attacks.

“Austin and Gallant also discussed Israel’s operations in the Gaza Strip and the importance of mitigating harm to civilians, progress toward achieving a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in Gaza, as well as efforts to deter aggression by Iran, Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian groups in the region,” the Pentagon official explained.

In addition, according to sources consulted by the American news portal Axios, the Israeli Minister of Defense has indicated to his American counterpart that Iran’s military preparations suggest that it is preparing for a “large-scale” attack that could be launched “in the coming days.”Infobae.