Rhino: Agencies – The United States said on Friday it will deploy B-52 bombers, fighter jets, refueling aircraft and destroyers to the Middle East, part of a reset of military assets as the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and its escort destroyers prepare to leave the region.
The Pentagon said the deployment will take place in the coming months, demonstrating the flexibility of U.S. military movements around the world.
“If Iran or its proxies take advantage of this moment to target personnel or military interests in the region, the United States will take all necessary actions to defend our people,” Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder said in a statement.
The departure of the USS Abraham Lincoln from the region will create a gap in terms of aircraft carriers until another aircraft carrier is sent to the Middle East. The U.S. military’s adjustment of its forces in the Middle East comes after an October exchange of direct fire between Israel and Iran.
Israel is also fighting against the Iranian-backed Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and even carried out strikes last month in Yemen after coming under attack from the Iranian-allied Houthis. The U.S. has pledged to help defend Israel against any attack and protect U.S. forces in the Middle East.