The U.S. is ramping up its military presence in the Middle East, deploying advanced F-22 Raptor fighter jets and warships to counter potential threats from Iran after the explosive death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. This move, discussed by President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, aims to strengthen Israel’s defense and prevent regional escalation. The Pentagon’s swift action includes enhancing air and missile defense capabilities and is a clear signal of U.S. commitment to support Israel amidst rising tensions and threats of retaliation from Iran. There are also discussions to destabilize the Iranian regime.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh explained that these steps are being taken to prevent the situation in the region from escalating. The U.S. aims to improve its ability to protect its forces, support Israel’s defense, and be ready for any possible scenarios.
The F-22 squadron will join three other U.S. Air Force combat aircraft squadrons already in the Middle East, which include F-15E Strike Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons, and A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes. Along with the F-22s, additional aerial refueling tankers are also being deployed to support the increased number of warplanes.
President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed these new U.S. military deployments during a phone call on August 1. The next day, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III ordered the deployment. Austin also spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to inform him about the changes in the U.S. military posture.
The killing of Haniyeh, believed to be carried out by Israel, led to Iran threatening retaliation. In response, the U.S. has pledged to defend Israel. Warships will be deployed under U.S. Central Command in the Middle East and to the eastern Mediterranean near Israel under U.S. European Command. The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its strike group will replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the region. The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp and its Marine Expeditionary Unit are also operating in the eastern Mediterranean.
Earlier in April, U.S. Air Force fighters, including F-15Es and F-16s, successfully intercepted over 80 drones launched by Iran against Israel. This was part of a defense that neutralized an attack involving about 300 missiles and drones, with significant contributions from Israeli air and missile defenses.
Since Hamas’ attack on Israel in October, which resulted in around 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages taken, the U.S. has been rotating additional forces in the region. The Pentagon has emphasized its ability to quickly deploy forces to address evolving threats.
Secretary Austin assured that the U.S. stands ready to assist Israel if it is attacked. He emphasized the U.S. commitment to de-escalating tensions and addressing issues through diplomatic means.
Meanwhile, the war-mongering British think-tank is calling out for over destabilization of the Iranian regime. Its spokesperson Barak Seener proposes in The Jewish Chronicle that “Israel needs to expand its power projection with the aim of destabilising the Iranian regime and preventing it from hiding behind its proxies”.
In 2020, a consortium led by Sir Robbie Gibb, a former government spin doctor and current BBC director, rescued the JC from threatened liquidation. However, the identity of the other backers in the consortium is unknown, which is highly unusual for a significant UK newspaper. Some sources suggest that the funding may have come from a right-wing American billionaire, Paul E. Singer, who is known for supporting pro-Israel causes. There are also concerns about the potential conflict of interest for Gibb, who sits on the BBC’s editorial standards committee while his JC editor has been critical of the BBC’s coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
