US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has authorized the deployment of a guided missile submarine and the Abraham Lincoln strike group to the Middle East, according to a Pentagon statement released on Sunday night.
The announcement followed a phone conversation between Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The statement underscored the United States' commitment to supporting Israel and enhancing its military posture in response to rising regional tensions.
"Secretary Austin emphasized the US's dedication to defending Israel and outlined the bolstering of US military capabilities across the Middle East," the statement read. "To reinforce this commitment, he has directed the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, equipped with F-35C fighters, to expedite its deployment to the Central Command area, complementing the existing presence of the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group."
Additionally, the Pentagon revealed that Austin has ordered the guided missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN 729) to join the Central Command region, further strengthening US military assets in the area.