According to Reuters, on November 1, the US announced that it would deploy additional military equipment in the Middle East, including B-52 bombers, fighter jets, refueling aircraft and a series of warships, as the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln prepared to leave the region.
The Pentagon said the deployment would take place over the next several months to demonstrate the flexibility of US military moves around the world.
Pentagon spokesman, US Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder stated: “If Iran or Iranian-backed forces target US personnel or interests in the region, the US will take all measures to protect our people.”
Since the Gaza war broke out on October 7, 2023, the US has deployed two aircraft carriers in the Middle East to protect Israel, its troops operating in the region and international commercial waterways in the Red Sea from attacks by Iran-backed non-state forces.
The departure of the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln from the Middle East will create a military vacuum, forcing the US to temporarily add forces to ensure the safety of the region until another aircraft carrier is dispatched.
The move to adjust US forces in the Middle East comes after Israel and Iran had direct confrontations in October.
According to AP, the US spent $22.76 billion on war and conflict resolution in the Middle East when Hamas attacked Israel last October. Of that, at least $17.9 billion was used to provide military equipment to Israel and $4.86 billion was used directly to support the US military in the Middle East.
