U.S. sends massive military presence to bolster Israel defense
12:34 PM EDT, August 22, 2024
The USA is gathering forces to deter Iran from attacking Israel. The aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln has arrived in the Middle East with F-35C and F/A-18 fighters on board, accompanied by a group of destroyers.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced overnight from Wednesday to Thursday that the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln has already arrived in their area of responsibility.The command is responsible for the operations of American armed forces in the Middle East and Central Asia.
The aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt is already in the region. The military had previously announced that this unit would be replaced by the Abraham Lincoln, but it did not specify when exactly this would happen.
An additional nuclear-powered submarine, Georgia, has also arrived in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. The unit is equipped with 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles. Two weeks ago, F-22 aircraft also arrived in one of the Middle Eastern countries. These are some of the most advanced American fighters, used exclusively by the US Air Force.
Will Iran attack?
The United States has strengthened its presence in the region following announcements from Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah that they will retaliate for the attacks at the end of July, conducted by Israel or attributed to this country. The USA declared that they would help Israel repel any potential revenge.
Washington is diplomatically trying to discourage Tehran from retaliating for the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in an attack in the capital of Iran. Iran was warned that its move would meet with serious consequences. The USA is also pressing for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which, according to some sources, is a condition for Iran to refrain from striking Israel.
So far, Iran has been deterred by this show of force and American military maneuvers in the region, wrote the newspaper "Washington Post." However, the newspaper noted that, according to American officials, Tehran is encouraging Hezbollah to have its forces attack Israel.
