The U.S. has moved to further bolster its presence in the Middle East, with defense secretary Lloyd Austin redirecting the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike group and activating a THAAD battery and Patriot battalion in the wake of Iran’s behavior.
In a statement released late Saturday night, Austin said: “Following detailed discussions with President Biden on recent escalations by Iran and its proxy forces across the Middle East Region, today I directed a series of additional steps to further strengthen the Department of Defense posture in the region. These steps will bolster regional deterrence efforts, increase force protection for U.S. forces in the region, and assist in the defense of Israel.”
Austin explained that the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group has been redirected to the Middle East. The Eisenhower strike group includes the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea, guided-missile destroyers USS Gravely and USS Mason, and Carrier Air Wing Three, with nine aircraft squadrons.
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He has also activated a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery, as well as additional Patriot battalions throughout the region. A THAAD battery is a combat defense against ballistic missiles, which Iran possesses.
On Thursday, Houthi forces in Yemen, which are backed by Iran, launched three land-attack cruise missiles and several drones that the guided-missile destroyer USS Carney, which is a part of the Ford Carrier Strike Group, was able to shoot down from the Red Sea. The Department of Defense said the missiles and drones were heading north along the Red Sea in the direction of Israel.
The moves come as Israel has vowed to launch a military attack against Iran, “the head of the snake”, if Hezbollah, another Iranian proxy, enters the war with Hamas.
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Nir Barkat, Israel’s minister of economy, warned that they would “eliminate Hezbollah” if the Iranian-backed Lebanese group opened up a second, northern front in the war, but he added “we will actually target Iran.”
