The U.S. Department of Defense will deploy additional defensive military capabilities to the Middle East to enhance force protection for U.S. troops and defend Israel, announced Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh today. This decision responds to ongoing threats from Iran and Iranian-backed militias.
Following the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, the U.S. pledged support to defend the nation. In April, the U.S. led a coalition to protect Israel from armed drones and missiles launched by Iran and its affiliates.
Singh stated that the commitment for increased defense capabilities arose from recent discussions between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, followed by a conversation this morning between Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
“We’ve demonstrated since October and again in April that the United States’ global defense is dynamic, and the department retains the capability to deploy on short notice to meet evolving national security threats,” Singh said. She added that Secretary Austin would direct several forthcoming force-posture adjustments to bolster force protection for U.S. forces across the region and enhance support for Israel’s defense.
Specific forces or units to be deployed have not yet been determined. However, White House officials indicated that new capabilities would be introduced to the region. Singh emphasized that the additional capabilities would be purely defensive and intended to deter potential threats.
The U.S. will continue collaborating with allies and partners to de-escalate regional tensions. In April, international allies played a crucial role in countering attacks, and many countries are involved in Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea to maintain open sea lines of communication.
Singh reiterated the importance of de-escalation and emphasized the U.S.’s support for a ceasefire deal to secure the release of American hostages. “We believe that the best way to de-escalate and further lower tensions in the region is for this ceasefire deal to come through,” she said.–NEWS DESK