The Department of Defense continues to take steps to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Iran's partners and proxies. Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, the Secretary of Defense has reiterated that the United States will protect its personnel and interests in the region, including its commitment to the defense of Israel.
To that end, Secretary Austin has ordered adjustments to U.S. military posture designed to improve U.S. force protection, increase support for the defense of Israel, and ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies.
To maintain a carrier strike group presence in the Middle East, Secretary Austin has ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, currently deployed in the Central Command area of responsibility.
Additionally, Secretary Austin has ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to be sent to both U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command regions. The Department is also taking steps to increase readiness for deploying additional land-based ballistic missile defenses.
The Secretary has also ordered the deployment of an additional fighter squadron to reinforce defensive air support capability in the Middle East.
These posture adjustments add to a broad range of capabilities maintained by the U.S. military in the region, including the USS Wasp Amphibious Ready Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit (ARG/MEU) operating in the Eastern Mediterranean.
As demonstrated since October and again in April, U.S. global defense remains dynamic with capabilities ready for short-notice deployment against evolving national security threats. The United States remains focused on de-escalating tensions in the region and pushing for a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal aimed at ending hostilities in Gaza.
