Calm before the storm in the Middle East! The Pentagon is sending more squadrons of fighter jets

The US plans to send more warplanes to the Middle East in response to Iran's threats to attack Israel, reports the American newspaper The New York Times.

An American official, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed to the publication that in the Middle East, Washington is taking the "necessary measures” to improve combat readiness and protect US troops and allies from any threats from Iran or Tehran-backed groups.

According to the NYT, the question of how many US aircraft will be sent to the region is still undecided. Also, such a transfer has yet to be finally approved by senior Pentagon officials, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The publication's sources note that the US wants to "send the necessary number of aircraft as quickly as possible” that will help protect Israel without giving the impression of an escalation of the conflict.

The White House is convinced that Iran is planning to attack Israel in response to the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this week, news portal Axios previously reported.

Citing three anonymous US officials, the media reported that any Iranian "retaliation” expected to be similar to the April 13 attack on Israel, but potentially larger. "Hezbollah” can join this operation. According to the portal, the Pentagon and the US Central Command are conducting preparations similar to what they did before the attack in April. This includes strengthening US military assets in the Persian Gulf, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea.