US shifts resources in Middle East after Israeli attack
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According to Fabian Hinz, an air warfare expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, Iran’s military capabilities may pose a greater threat to US forces than to "Israel".
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Arleigh-Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) gets underway from Naval Station Mayport, Fla., beginning its transit to relieve USS St. Louis (LCS 19) as the ready ship in the U.S. Southern Command area of operations February 18, 2025. (US Navy)
In response to the Israeli attacks on Iran and the possibility of Iranian retaliation, the US military is repositioning assets in the region, two US officials told AP on Friday.
The Navy has ordered the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner to head toward the Eastern Mediterranean, while a second destroyer is also being moved forward to be ready for deployment if requested by the White House.
One official confirmed that US President Donald Trump is meeting with his National Security Council directors to assess the evolving situation. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity, as the details had not been made public.
According to Fabian Hinz, an air warfare expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, Iran’s military capabilities may pose a greater threat to US forces than to "Israel."
Iran has a "huge arsenal" of short-range missiles specifically designed to target US bases, along with extensive anti-ship systems,” Hinz explained, adding that the presence of multiple American military installations in the region increases the risk.
Although Iran launched around 300 ballistic missiles at "Israel" last year, it notably refrained from using its short-range missiles, which are capable of targeting US military bases, according to Hinz.
“Think of the Iranian shipping threat as similar in quality to the Houthi threat, but much larger in quantity,” Hinz explained.
Trump warns Iran to take deal while praising brutal Israeli airstrikes
Trump warned Iran on Friday to urgently return to the negotiating table, following Israeli strikes targeting nuclear and military facilities across the country. The former president cautioned that failure to act swiftly would result in further “death and destruction.”
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end.”
“Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left... JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”
Moreover, in an interview for Fox News, the US president, who is eyeing a Nobel Peace Prize, confirmed he was informed ahead of time about the Israeli intention to strike Iranian targets. He stressed that the US was hoping to re-enter talks with Iran but reiterated his firm opposition to Tehran’s nuclear program, which Tehran has over the years stressed its peaceful nature, opting instead for "more brutal" Israeli attacks.
“Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb,” Trump said, according to Fox News. “We are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see.”
Fox also reported that Trump’s administration contacted at least one key Middle Eastern ally before the strikes to acknowledge that the operation was about to occur, while emphasizing that the US itself was not involved.
