US sending carrier, warships and fighter squadron to Middle East as Iranian retaliation looms

The Pentagon has said the United States will deploy a carrier strike group, a fighter squadron and additional warships to the Middle East to help defend Israel from possible attacks by Iran and its proxies.

Tensions remain high in the region over the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and a key commander of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

The US military says missile defence forces are placed on a state of increased readiness to deploy, adding that its commitment to defend Israel is "ironclad".

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This deployment marks perhaps the most significant mobilisation of US forces in the area since the beginning of the war in Gaza.

Initially, the Pentagon dispatched two carrier strike groups to the Middle East to warn against the escalation of hostilities.

The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group will replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group.

The Carrier Strike Group comprises the flagship USS Abraham Lincoln, a Carrier Air Wing, the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay and the guided-missile destroyers of Destroyer Squadron.

The Pentagon is also deploying additional ballistic missile defence-capable cruisers and destroyers, as well as getting ready to deploy additional land-based ballistic missile defence.

The USS Wasp amphibious assault ship is already in the region, operating with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit which has the strength of about 2,200 personnel.

The US has had an increased military presence in the Middle East since April, when Iran and Iranian-backed groups launched strikes at Israel. The US led a coalition to defend Israel from armed drones and missiles. 

During the early days of the Gaza war, following the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October, the US sent two carrier strike groups to the Middle East.

"The United States also remains intently focused on de-escalating tensions in the region and pushing for a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal to bring the hostages home and end the war in Gaza," Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said in a statement.