Guided-Missile Submarine Headed to Middle East from US

August 12, 2024 TruthUSA

Just a week after the Pentagon announced the deployment of more fighter jet squadrons and destroyers to the Middle East in response to Iran’s threats, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment of the USS Georgia guided-missile submarine to the region.

Austin made this decision amidst increasing tensions between Israel and Iran. The Pentagon stated that Austin gave this order after discussing the situation with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, reaffirming the U.S. commitment to defend Israel through all possible means.

Furthermore, the Secretary of Defense also instructed the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to hasten its transit to the Middle East after its initial deployment. This directive was outlined in a statement released by the Pentagon.

The USS Abraham Lincoln was already set to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt, currently stationed in the Middle East, but Austin requested an expedited transit for the former carrier, according to the Pentagon.

During their conversation, Austin informed Gallant about the reinforcement of military forces in the Middle East and the enhancement of capabilities in light of the escalating regional tensions.

The two officials also discussed Israel’s operations in Gaza, the importance of minimizing civilian casualties, progress towards securing a ceasefire with Hamas and the release of hostages, as well as efforts to deter the aggressive actions of the Iranian regime.

Earlier, the Pentagon had announced the deployment of more fighter jet squadrons, destroyers, and cruisers equipped for ballistic missile defense to the Middle East in order to prevent potential regional escalation by Iran.

The United States expressed concerns about possible escalation following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Hamas organization, in Iran on July 31. While Iran accused Israel of the killing, Israel did not claim responsibility.

US Warns Iran Against Escalation

Matthew Miller, State Department spokesperson, stated on August 5th that Washington had advised Tehran via diplomatic channels to avoid escalating tensions in the Middle East, emphasizing that such actions would not be in Iran’s or the region’s best interests.

These remarks came after Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s conversations with Qatari Prime Minister Al Thani and Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdelatty regarding the situation in the Middle East.

Miller mentioned that the United States had been in communication with all relevant parties in the region, stressing that escalation was detrimental to all involved and urging diplomatic communication to convey this message to other regional actors.

He added, “I would expect that some of them would pass that message along and impress that point upon the government of Iran.”

Miller did not confirm whether these messages had been relayed to Iran or through which channels. Since 1980, the United States and Iran have had no formal diplomatic relations, following the Iranian occupation of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979.

Jack Phillips contributed to this report.

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