The U.S. is accelerating the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East amid an imminent threat to Israel from the Islamic Republic of Iran and Hezbollah, Iran’s largest top terrorist proxy group.
The announcement came after Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant on Sunday about the situation.
The Pentagon said in a statement that the U.S. was taking “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.”
“Reinforcing this commitment, the Secretary Austin has ordered the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group, equipped with F-35C fighters, to accelerate its transit to the Central Command area of responsibility, adding to the capabilities already provided by the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Carrier Strike Group,” the statement continued. “Additionally, the Secretary has ordered the…