Biden-Harris admin sending reinforcements to the Middle East as tensions with Israel and Iran worsen

The Biden-Harris administration is sending reinforcements to the Middle East in an attempt to defend Israel amid the rising tensions in the region.  

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment of additional Navy destroyers as well as cruisers with offensive and defensive ballistic missile capabilities. The move comes after the Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed that they would retaliate after the killing of terrorist leaders Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas and senior Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr.

A Pentagon spokesman said the additional resources will be "to improve US force protection, to increase support for the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies," per VOA News. 

The Pentagon also announced it is taking steps to beef up the land-based missile defense and will send an additional squadron of fighter jets to the Middle East, per the Washington Post. Resources already in the region ready for action include over 4,000 troops from the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group. The group is an amphibious three-ship team that includes an infantry battalion and other combat forces from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.  

US officials had not spoken in great detail about how they were preparing in the region with the possibility of an attack from Iran on Israel. However, on Thursday evening, President Joe Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.   

“The President discussed efforts to support Israel’s defense against threats, including against ballistic missiles and drones, to include new defensive US military deployments,” a spokesman said on a call with US officials.  

Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said, "As we have demonstrated since October and again in April, the United States’ global defense is dynamic and the Department of Defense retains the capability to deploy on short notice to meet evolving national security threats."  

“The United States also remains intently focused on de-escalating tensions in the region and pushing for a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal to bring the hostages home and end the war in Gaza," said Austin.