US orders to dispatch submarines and aircraft carrier strike groups to the Middle East quickly

This move was carried out amid concerns about what kind of response Iran would take in response to the murder of Hamas and Hezbollah executives.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ordered that submarines carrying guided missiles be dispatched to the Middle East and that the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln strike group be quickly dispatched to the same region.

The order was issued on Sunday night after telephone talks between Austin and Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Galant amid growing tension after Hamas and Iran-backed Hezbollah executives were killed.

The Department of Defense said in a statement that Austin “once again expressed America's commitment to take all measures to defend Israel, and mentioned the strengthening of the US military posture and capabilities across the Middle East based on heightened regional tension.”

According to US military posts on social media, the nuclear submarine Georgia had already been deployed to the Mediterranean in July, but it is unusual for the US to publicly announce the deployment of submarines.

Abraham Lincoln is in the Asia-Pacific, and he had already been ordered to be dispatched to the Middle East to replace the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt Strike Group scheduled to take his way home.

Last week, Austin said it was expected to arrive at the site by the end of this month. The aircraft carriers carry F-35 and F/A-18 fighter jets.

The US military had already announced that it would deploy additional fighter jets and warships to the Middle East in order to strengthen Israel's defense against attacks by Iran.

Ismail Haneh, the Hamas political leader who controls Gaza and is supported by Iran, was assassinated in Tehran on July 31. Israel is not claiming responsibility.

The murder of Mr. Hanye took place in the same week that Mr. Fuad Shukr, the military commander of Hezbollah supported by Iran, was killed in Israel's attack on Beirut.

According to the Palestinian Health Authority's announcement, the US announcement came the day after at least 90 people were killed and close to 50 were injured in the Israeli attack on schools and shelters in Gaza.

The Department of Defense added that Austin and Gallant also discussed “the importance of reducing damage to civilians, progress towards securing a cease-fire, and freeing hostages held in Gaza.”

Nearly 0.04 million people have died since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel in October last year, and Israel began its war against Gaza. An estimated 1,139 people died in the attack on Israel, and more than 200 were taken prisoner by Hamas.

Washington and other allies are renewing efforts for a cease-fire.

Hamas said on Sunday that America, Qatar, and Egypt should submit plans to implement the cease-fire plan presented by US President Joe Biden in May rather than conducting “further negotiations” or discussing new proposals against Gaza.