US to deploy additional military assets to West Asia in warning to Iran
West Asia crisis: US to increase military deployment in region.
The United States (US) said on Friday (Nov 1) that it would deploy B-52 bombers, fighter jets, refuelling aircraft and Navy destroyers to West Asia,in a readjustment of military assets as the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group preparedto leave the region.
In a statement, the Pentagon saidthat deployments would take place in the coming months and it demonstrated the flexibility of the USmilitary movements around the world.
The United States has had as many as two aircraft carriers in WestAsia during the past year of soaring tensions since the start of the Israel-Hamas war that began on October 7, 2023.
A warning to Iran
This additional deployment by the US military served as a warning to Iran as Washington and Israel trade tit-for-tat strikes.
"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," Pentagon spokesperson Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder said in thestatement.
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The additional resources build on previous American defence deployments to West Asia in support of Israel, including a THAAD missile defence system deployed to the country late last month, operated by US troops on the ground.
The new forces "will begin to arrive in coming months," Ryder added.
The Israel-Iran clashes
The latest adjustment in USforces in the region comes direct exchanges of fire in October between Israel and Iran.
Iran has carried out two major attacks against Israel this year -- one in April after a strike on its consulate in Damascus that was blamed on Israel, and another in Octoberthat Tehran said was in response to the assassination of leaders of armed groups it backs in West Asia.
On October 26, Israellaunched significant strikes against Iran for the Islamic Republic's October 1 missile attack. Israelimilitary jets struck missile factories and other sites near Tehran and in westernIran.
On Friday, Axios reported thatIsrael intelligence suggested that Iran was preparing to attack Israel in the coming days, possibly before the November 5 presidential election in the United States.
Two sources told Axios that the attack wasexpected to be carried out from Iraq using a large number of drones and ballistic missiles.
(With inputs from agencies)