Amid the tensions prevailing in the Middle East after the assassination of the head of the political bureau of the Hamas movement, Ismail Haniyeh, and in support of Israel, the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, ordered the “deployment of a guided missile submarine in the Middle East,” coinciding with the leaders of Britain, France and Germany calling on Iran not to launch attacks on Israel..
The Pentagon announced, in an official statement, that “Austin” also ordered the “Abraham Lincoln” aircraft carrier strike group to accelerate its deployment in the region.
And according to InformationThe USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, equipped with F-35C fighter jets, has been ordered to sail faster to the Middle East, under the control of US Central Command, and the guided-missile submarine USS Georgia has also been deployed.
This announcement came “during a phone call between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Galant, yesterday, Sunday, in which they discussed the war in Gaza.”
According to Pentagon press secretary Pat Ryder, Austin said: “America is committed to taking every possible step to defend Israel,” adding that “Washington has strengthened its military capabilities in the region amid rising tensions.”
It is noteworthy that these moves come at a time when Israel is preparing for an Iranian attack that it promised after the assassination of the head of the political bureau of the Hamas movement, Ismail Haniyeh.
Washington announced last week that it would strengthen its military presence in the Middle East by deploying more warships and fighter jets. The aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln is set to join another American aircraft carrier in the region, the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
European leaders urge Iran not to attack Israel
The leaders of Britain, France and Germany said in a joint statement published by the British government on Monday that they “call on Iran and its allies to refrain from launching attacks on Israel that would escalate tensions and jeopardize the chances of reaching a ceasefire and freeing detainees in Gaza.”
The countries added in the statement that “the fighting must stop now,” and “all detainees held by Hamas must be released.”
The statement stressed that “the people of the Gaza Strip need to receive and distribute aid urgently and without obstacles.”
The leaders of France, Germany and Britain welcomed “the work of the partners to reach an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of the hostages.”
The statement indicated that “the leaders of these three countries are working with all parties to prevent escalation, and we will spare no effort to calm tensions and find a way towards stability in Gaza.”
Last updated: August 12, 2024 – 10:57
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2024-08-13 08:55:39