US stacking warships in ME ahead of anticipated Iranian response
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The director of the Hudson Institute's Center for Defense Concepts and Technology says all of this weaponry focused in the Middle East undermines a long-held Pentagon priority of shifting to the Indo-Pacific.
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In this photo released by the US Navy, the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan travels through the Red Sea on August 8, 2023. (AP)
The United States has deployed around 18 warships, including two aircraft carriers, in and around the Middle East attempting to reportedly deter Iran and stop an inevitable retaliation for "Israel's" assassination of Hamas’ political bureau chief, martyr Ismail Haniyeh, Axios reported on Tuesday.
Some of the ships operating in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have been attempting to curb the operations of the Yemeni Armed Forces in support of Gaza for months, while more Navy and Air Force assets are being sent.
In addition to the two carrier strike groups currently operating in the Middle East, an Air Force F-22 Raptor squadron has already arrived, and the guided-missile submarine USS Georgia is close by.
Disclosing the position or destination of a submarine, such as the nuclear-powered USS Georgia, is an unusual and deliberate act, the news website pointed out.
In total, "there are easily more than 500 Tomahawk missiles ready to attack Iran and more than 100 aircraft ready to defend allies to respond," Bryan Clark, director of the Hudson Institute's Center for Defense Concepts and Technology told Axios.
But, according to Clark, all of this weaponry focused in the Middle East undermines a long-held Defense Department priority of shifting to the Indo-Pacific.
"The buildup will impact the Navy's ability to maintain a robust presence or response capacity in the Pacific because many of these ships will end up in maintenance periods next year."
Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder claimed the department "can walk and chew gum at the same time."
US to 'defend Israel' in the event of an Iranian response: White House
Earlier on Tuesday, White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby said the United States is prepared to defend "Israel" in the event of an Iranian attack, referring to Iran's vowed retaliatory operation.
Talking to the Israeli Channel 12, Kirby said that Washington takes Iran's rhetoric seriously, but it is difficult to estimate the chances of a retaliation taking place.
"We believe that [Iran is] still postured and poised to launch an attack should they want to do that, which is why we have that enhanced force posture in the region," he told the news outlet.
Following the Israeli assassination of Haniyeh during his official visit to Tehran, Washington neither condemned the attack nor criticized the violation of the Islamic Republic's sovereignty and security.
"Our messaging to Iran is consistent, has been, and will stay consistent. One, don't do it. There's no reason to escalate this," Kirby said without mentioning the Israeli aggression.
"There's no reason to potentially start some sort of all-out regional war. And number two, we are going to be prepared to defend Israel if it comes to that," he continued.
Responding to the assassination of Haniyeh is inevitable: Bagheri
In a related context, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, confirmed on Monday that "revenge against the Israeli entity is inevitable."
During the induction ceremony of the new Iranian Minister of Defense, Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, Major General Mohammad Bagheri stated that the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran "is something that cannot be forgotten," and emphasized that revenge for his blood by the Axis of Resistance or by Iran is inevitable.
He emphasized that Iran "will decide how and when to take revenge and will not fall into the trap of media provocations initiated by the enemies."
General Bageri also underscored that "the Axis of Resistance will, in turn, avenge the blood of martyr Haniyeh, each according to its plans and capabilities, and what we witnessed yesterday is only part of that revenge."
In the same vein, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghshi asserted that his country's response to the Israeli assassination of martyred Haniyeh will be "definite and calculated."
