Washington dispatches additional aircraft carrier, fighter jets to the Middle East to counter Iran-led threats against Israel

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The United States will dispatch an additional aircraft carrier and a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East, the Pentagon announced on Friday.

The U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln and its carrier strike group were ordered to leave the Pacific to replace the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group that is currently operating in the Middle East, according to a statement from Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh.

In addition, the Pentagon will send another squadron of Air Force F-22 fighter jets, an unspecified number of additional Navy cruisers and destroyers capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, and is preparing to send more land-based ballistic-missile defense systems, if the need arises.

“Secretary Austin has ordered adjustments to U.S. military posture designed to improve U.S. force protection, to increase support for the defense of Israel and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies,” Singh said.

Washington’s decision came as a response to the growing threats from Iran and its terror proxies to attack the Israel following the regime's vow to retaliate against Israel for the elimination of top Hezbollah terrorist commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut early last week and senior Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in a northern suburb of Tehran on Wednesday.

Israel has claimed responsibility for Shukr's death but has not confirmed or denied responsibility for the bomb that exploded in Haniyeh's room of the guest house he was visiting. Most pundits believe Israel was likely behind the Haniyeh assassination.

The primary aim of Washington's strategy is to enhance its military presence in the Middle East, supporting Israel in the event of a possible coordinated assault by Iran and its allied groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and pro-Tehran militias in Syria and Iraq.

It is unclear whether if the large enhancement of naval forces in the area is also a response to the Russia-Ukraine war.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held top-level phone conversation to discuss cooperation regarding Iran's declaration that it intends to launch a multifront attack Israel in the coming days, according to reports.

Following the phone call, the White House said Biden had “reaffirmed his commitment to Israel’s security against all threats from Iran, including its proxy terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.”

The White House added that the two leaders had also “discussed efforts to support Israel’s defense against threats, including against ballistic missiles and drones, to include new defensive U.S. military deployments.”

In April, Israel and an American-led international coalition successfully neutralized 99% of the over 300 missiles and drones that Iran launched toward Israel in its unprecedented direct attack.

The Biden administration has backed Israel's right to defend itself against Iran's terror proxies, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. However, the U.S. administration has simultaneously called for a ceasefire in Gaza and is concerned that the current conflict could expand into a full-scale regional war.

While Hamas has threatened “revenge” on behalf of Haniyeh, its are reportedly significantly degraded, as Israeli Defense Forces have eliminated thousands of Hamas terrorists and more than half of its senior leaders.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered a direct attack on Israel in response to the elimination of Haniyeh in Tehran, according to The New York Times.

On Wednesday, Haniyeh was in Tehran attending the inauguration of the newly-appointed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The assassination of the senior Hamas leader in the Iranian capital has reportedly caused significant embarrassment for the ayatollah regime.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Iran and its proxies of serious consequences in the event of an attack on Israeli territory.

“We are prepared for any scenario and we will stand united and determined against any threat. Israel will exact a very heavy price for aggression against us from whatever quarter,” he warned.