Amid escalating tensions with Iran, the Pentagon has announced that it is deploying a warship and a Patriot air defence missile system in the Middle East to deter the threats of possible operations against US forces in the region by Tehran.
According to the Press Trust of India, The USS Arlington, which transports amphibious vehicles and aircraft, and the Patriot air defence system will join the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a B-52 bomber task force in the Middle East region in response to “indications of heightened Iranian readiness to conduct offensive operations against US forces and our interests, the Pentagon said Friday.
The approval to deploy additional military asset against Iran has been done at the request of US Central Command, it said, adding that the Pentagon continues to closely monitor the activities of the Iranian regime, their military and proxies.
The Pentagon said the US did not seek conflict with Iran, but that Washington was “ready to defend US forces and interests in the region”.
“The Department of Defense continues to closely monitor the activities of the Iranian regime,” it said in a statement.
“Due to operational security, we will not discuss timelines or location of forces, the Pentagon said.
