US accelerates military deployment to Middle East: Pentagon
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US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of a guided missile submarine to the Middle East following Israeli occupation concerns about potential Iranian military retaliation against "Israel".
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Aviation Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Nicholas Hawkins signals an MV-22 Osprey to land on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea on May 17, 2019. (AP/US Navy)
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has announced the deployment of a guided missile submarine to the Middle East and has ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to accelerate its arrival in the region amid escalating tensions, Reuters reported. This move was disclosed by the Pentagon on Sunday, marking a rare public disclosure of submarine movements.
The decision followed a conversation between Austin and Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant. During their call, Gallant expressed concerns that Iran’s military preparations might indicate an impending large-scale attack on Israel, according to Axios reporter Barak Ravid.
'Don't', Biden says to Iran on anticipated retaliation
Earlier, on Saturday, US President Joe Biden reiterated his warning to Iran about the anticipated retaliation attack on "Israel" when asked to send a message to the Middle Eastern country.
"Don't," Biden told reporters when asked about his message to Iran after Tehran vowed a "harsh punishment" to the occupation amid rising tensions in the Middle East sparked by "Israel's" targeted assassinations in neighboring countries.
Biden issued a similar warning to Iran in April before Tehran launched rockets and drones toward "Israel" after the occupation struck the Iranian consulate in Syria, killing two top generals from Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) alongside five other members.
Read more: Iran rejects US blackmail: Ceasefire priority, unrelated to response
