U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has ordered the aircraft carrier “USS Abraham Lincoln” to expedite its deployment to the Middle East, according to an announcement by the Pentagon on Sunday.
This move comes as the region faces heightened military tensions amid the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza.
Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder stated that Austin directed the fleet, led by the “USS Abraham Lincoln” and equipped with F-35C fighter jets, to accelerate its movement in response to the potential threat of a large-scale attack by Hezbollah or Iran against Israel, as reported by AFP.
Ryder also noted that Austin had a conversation with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, on Sunday, during which he also ordered the deployment of the “USS Georgia” submarine to the same region.
The discussion between Austin and Gallant reportedly covered the “importance of minimizing harm to civilians, making progress towards a ceasefire, and securing the release of hostages held in Gaza,” as well as deterring Iran-backed groups from launching attacks.
Tensions have escalated recently following the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and senior Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Last week, Washington announced plans to bolster its military presence in the Middle East by deploying additional warships and fighter jets.
The “USS Abraham Lincoln” is set to join another U.S. aircraft carrier already in the region, the “USS Theodore Roosevelt.”
