Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder announced updates on the U.S. military's force posture in the Middle East. The statement highlighted several strategic deployments aimed at safeguarding U.S. citizens and forces, defending Israel, and promoting de-escalation through deterrence and diplomacy.

"The Secretary of Defense ordered the deployment of additional ballistic missile defense destroyers, fighter squadron and tanker aircraft, and several U.S. Air Force B-52 long-range strike bombers to the region," Ryder stated. These reinforcements are expected to arrive in the coming months as the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group prepares to leave.

The new deployments complement recent decisions, including sending the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system to Israel and maintaining a sustained Amphibious Ready Group Marine Expeditionary Unit (ARG/MEU) presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. According to Ryder, "These movements demonstrate the flexible nature of U.S. global defense posture and U.S. capability to deploy worldwide on short notice to meet evolving national security threats."

Secretary Austin emphasized that any aggression from Iran or its allies against American personnel or interests would be met with decisive action: "The United States will take every measure necessary to defend our people."