The Defense Minister of US Lloyd Austin has informed Israel about current and future changes in US forces in the Middle East, the Pentagon said today, as quoted by Reuters, although it has not yet been decided exactly what additional capabilities will be sent, BTA writes.
"Austin briefed Israeli Minister Yoav Gallant on the additional measures, which will include current and future defense force changes, that the Pentagon will undertake to support Israel's defense,” Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said after a telephone conversation between the US Minister of Defense and his Israeli counterpart.
Singh added that the decision would include deploying additional forces to the region, but Austin had not yet made a decision. Government officials told Reuters a wide range of options existed, including planes and ships.
The United States is preparing for Iran to carry out its threats to respond to the killing of the leader of “Hamas” Ismail Haniya two days ago in Tehran. This is one of the series of murders of high-ranking members of the Palestinian group.
Iran and “Hamas“ blamed Israel for the killing and vowed revenge. Israel neither admitted nor denied responsibility for it.
It is unclear whether US preparations are as intense as they were before April 13, when Iran launched an attack on Israeli territory with drones and missiles.
Israel then successfully shot down almost all of the 300 or so drones and missiles with the help of the US and other allies.
In a phone call with Netanyahu yesterday, Biden discussed new US defensive military deployments to support Israel against threats such as missiles and drones, the White House said.
Singh said the United States does not want to witness a wider regional conflict and does not believe escalation is inevitable.
„I think we are very direct in our messages that we certainly do not want to see an escalation and we believe there is a way out here and that is the ceasefire agreement,” Singh said.