The United States is deploying extra military resources to the Middle East amid new threats from the Islamic Republic following the October 26 attack on its territory by Israel.
Pentagon spokesperson Gen. Pay Ryder said in a Friday statement that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment of B-52 bombers, a squadron of fighter jets, aerial refueling units, and several Navy destroyers to the region. The move is intended to replace the soon-to-depart USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, which is scheduled to return to its home port this month from a patrol in the Gulf of Oman.
On Saturday, U.S. Central Command announced the B-52 contingent from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota had already arrived at an undisclosed facility within their area of responsibility.
The presence of the long-range nuclear weapons-capable aircraft marks the second time this month the U.S. has utilized strategic bombers to issue warnings to Tehran. On October 16, B-2 Spirit units conducted a series of missions targeting munition storage facilities in Yemen linked to the regime’s Houthi allies.
"Should Iran, its partners, or its proxies use this moment to target American personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take every measure necessary to defend our people," the press release said.
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