Pentagon Chief Sends Submarine to Middle East, Urges Faster Carrier Transit

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of a guided missile submarine to the Middle East and has directed the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to expedite its journey to the region, according to a statement from the Defense Department on Sunday.

This shift in military positioning occurs amidst ongoing pressures from the U.S. and its allies for Israel and Hamas to reach a cease-fire. The urgency arises following the recent assassinations of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and a high-ranking commander of Hezbollah in Beirut, events that have escalated regional tensions dramatically.

Officials are on high alert for possible retaliatory actions from both Iran and Hezbollah in response to these killings, prompting the U.S. to increase its military presence as a precautionary measure.

In a statement, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, mentioned that Austin had a conversation with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant earlier in the day. During this discussion, Austin reaffirmed America’s commitment to take every possible step to defend Israel. He also highlighted the bolstering of U.S. military force posture and capabilities across the Middle East in response to the rising tensions.

The USS Lincoln, which has recently been in the Asia Pacific, was originally tasked with replacing the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier strike group, which is preparing to return home from its duties in the Middle East. Last week, it was confirmed that the Lincoln would arrive in the Central Command area by the end of the month.

As of Sunday, the details regarding the exact implications of Austin’s latest orders were unclear, particularly how much more swiftly the Lincoln will head to the Middle East. The Lincoln is currently equipped with F-35 fighter jets along with F/A-18 fighter aircraft available on other carriers.

Details concerning the time frame for the arrival of the USS Georgia, the guided missile submarine, were similarly not specified by Ryder.

During their discussion, Austin and Gallant also addressed Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, emphasizing the critical need to minimize harm to civilians.

This urgent dialogue took place just a day after an Israeli airstrike struck a school converted into a shelter in Gaza early Saturday morning, resulting in the deaths of at least 80 individuals and injuring around 50 more, according to Palestinian health authorities. This incident marks one of the most devastating attacks in the nearly ten-month-long conflict between Israel and Hamas.