9/29/2024–|Last updated: 9/29/202410:31 PM (Mecca time)
The US Army said – on Sunday – that it had decided to strengthen air support capabilities in the Middle East and put some of its forces on standby for deployment in the region, while warning Iran against expanding the scope of the conflict.
Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said, “The United States is determined to prevent Iran and its partners and agents from exploiting the situation or expanding the conflict.”
He also warned, “If Iran, its partners, or its agents exploit this moment to target American individuals or interests in the region, the United States will take all necessary measures to defend its citizens.”
The Pentagon indicated that the aircraft carrier “Abraham Lincoln” would remain in the region, in addition to a large presence of fighters.
The Pentagon did not provide sufficient details about the size or scope of the new air deployment, saying only, “We will strengthen our defensive air support capabilities in the coming days.”
In this context, White House National Security Council Advisor John Kirby told ABC on Sunday, “We have deployed additional forces in the region, and there are other options also available to strengthen and improve this system,” indicating that he did not want to provide further details.
He added, “But we have a very strong military capability to defend ourselves and help defend Israel.”
“It’s too early to know what Iran’s response will be,” Kirby said, but “we have to prepare ourselves for a response. We have to make sure we’re prepared, and we are.”
These statements came two days after US President Joe Biden directed the Department of Defense to amend the status of US forces in the Middle East, amid growing fears that Israel’s assassination of the Secretary-General of the Lebanese Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, might push Iran to seek revenge.
While he expressed his “concern” about the risk of escalation, Kirby stressed that President Biden still believes that room must be made for diplomacy, especially through a ceasefire.
“We continue to discuss with the Israelis about the next steps that must be taken,” he said, but “eliminating Hezbollah’s leadership structure is certainly in the interest of the Israelis.”