By Abigail N. BeDard
The Pentagon recently announced its plans to deploy B-52 bombers, fighter jets, refueling aircraft and Navy destroyers to the Middle East in a press release on Friday. The decision comes as the USS Abraham Lincoln and the three Navy destroyers in its strike group are scheduled to leave the region in the coming weeks and return to their home port in San Diego. Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that these movements are intended to protect, “U.S. citizens and forces in the Middle East, the defense of Israel, and de-escalation through deterrence and diplomacy”, as well as “demonstrate the flexible nature of U.S. global defense posture and U.S. capability to deploy world-wide on short notice to meet evolving national security threats”.
These developments come approximately three weeks after the Pentagon announced its intentions to send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery to Israel, along with the troops needed to operate it. This build-up of US forces in the region could serve to further inflame tensions in an already deadly conflict.
In a statement via X, Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III addressed the current situation in the Middle East, stating, “I spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today to discuss opportunities for regional de-escalation. I reaffirmed that the United States remains fully prepared to defend U.S. personnel, Israel, and partners across the region against threats from Iran and Iran-backed proxies”. Iran has previously issued warnings against US interference in the conflict. Most recently, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened both the United States and Israel with a “crushing response” in a speech on Saturday, November 2nd. Khamenei’s threat comes in the wake of Israel’s October 26th attack on Iran, which targeted military bases in several provinces and killed at least five people.
Israel and Iran have traded several direct blows in the past year, breaking with their previous routine of proxy warfare. Iran’s proxies in the region, namely Hezbollah and Hamas, have been substantially weakened by Israeli strikes in recent months, killing notable leaders such as Yahya Sinwar and Hassan Nasrallah. Iran itself is currently facing immense economic difficulties. The Associated Press reported that after Khamenei’s most recent speech, “The Iranian rial fell to 691,500 against the dollar, near an all-time low”. Despite Iran’s weakened position, the United States and Israel appear to be bracing for a coming blow, meaning that Iran’s response, or lack there of will likely set the stage for the next chapter in this enduring conflict.
The Patterson Journal of International Affairs 
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