U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has directed a guided missile submarine to the Middle East and accelerated the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the region, the Defense Department announced on Sunday.
“Secretary of Defense 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. In addition, the Secretary has ordered the USS Georgia (SSGN 729) to the Central Command region,” US Centcom posted to X Sunday.
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These military movements occur as the U.S. and its allies push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas following the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut.
The heightened tensions have led to concerns over possible retaliatory strikes by Iran and Hezbollah, prompting the U.S. to bolster its military presence in the region.
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that Austin had spoken with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant earlier in the day, reaffirming America’s commitment “to take every possible step to defend Israel” and highlighting the enhanced U.S. military posture in the Middle East in response to escalating regional tensions.
The USS Abraham Lincoln, which had been operating in the Asia-Pacific region, was already en route to the Middle East to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier strike group, which is scheduled to return home. Last week, Austin indicated that the Lincoln would arrive in the Central Command area by the end of the month, though the new orders suggest it may reach the region sooner.
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The exact timeline for the arrival of the Lincoln and the USS Georgia guided missile submarine remains unclear. The Lincoln is equipped with F-35 and F/A-18 fighter jets, providing significant air power to the U.S. forces in the area.
During the call, Austin and Gallant also discussed Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza and the need to minimize civilian casualties. The conversation follows an Israeli airstrike on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza, which killed at least 80 people and injured nearly 50 others, according to Palestinian health authorities. This strike marks one of the deadliest incidents in the ongoing 10-month conflict between Israel and Hamas.
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