BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 12. The Pentagon explained the increased military presence by the escalation of tensions in the region, Trend reports.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the USS Georgia nuclear submarine to be sent to the Middle East and the deployment of the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier to be accelerated, according to a statement released by the Pentagon press service on Sunday.
Austin held a telephone conversation with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant, in which he "reaffirmed the U.S.'s readiness to take all measures to protect Israel" and also announced "an increase in the U.S. military presence in the Middle East amid escalating tensions in the region."
In particular, Austin noted that he "ordered to expedite the transfer" of the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln with F-35C fighters to the area of responsibility of the US Central Command (CENTCOM). At the same time, the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt is already in the region. In addition, the head of the Pentagon gave the order to send the submarine Georgia, equipped with cruise missiles, to the CENTCOM area of responsibility.
Austin and Galant discussed the actions of the Israeli military in the Gaza Strip and efforts to conclude a ceasefire deal there. In addition, the topic of conversation was attempts to "prevent aggression by Iran, Hezbollah and other Iranian-linked groups." Earlier, following the US-Australian talks, Austin said that the Washington administration was strengthening its military presence in the Middle East, including by deploying cruisers and destroyers, as well as aircraft.