Deployment of US Warships, Fighter Jets to Mideast Has ‘Gotten Into the Headspace of Iran,’ Pentagon Says
The world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford steams alongside USNS Laramie (T-AO-203) during a fueling-at-sea in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in this photo taken on Oct. 11, 2023 and released by the US Navy on Oct. 14, 2023. Photo: US Naval Forces Central Command / US 6th Fleet / Handout via REUTERS
The deployment of US Navy assets in the Mediterranean Sea to defend Israel and protect American military personnel has likely made Iran hesitate in attacking the Jewish state, according to the US Defense Department.
“We’ve moved capabilities into the region that I think it’s fair to say have gotten into the headspace of Iran and will influence their calculation on how and if they choose to respond,” Sabrina Singh, the deputy Pentagon press secretary, told reporters during a press briefing on Thursday. “We don’t want to see that happen, but we have two carrier strike groups there, each, you know, with four destroyers.”
Singh added, “That sends a very powerful message of deterrence, and it also sends a message that, you know, we will stand with Israel should we need to come to their defense. But I can’t — you know, I don’t have a crystal ball to be able to forecast how long they’re going to be — stay there, only that I can tell you is that we are — we are well postured should we need to come to the defense of Israel.”
Iran has vowed to attack Israel in retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the Iranian capital, on July 31, accusing the Jewish state of carrying out the assassination. The Israeli government has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for Haniyeh’s death.
Iran is the chief international sponsor of Hamas, providing the Palestinian terrorist group with weapons, funding, and training.
In response to threats from Iranian officials, the US has deployed more warships and fighter jets to the Middle East. Earlier this month, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also ordered the deployment of a guided missile submarine to the region.
Singh said on Thursday that the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier, entered the US Central Command area on Friday. She added that the placement was meant to “increase support for the defense of Israel and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to a various range of contingencies.”
“I think that, by surging capabilities into the region, by having two carriers in the Central Command — or in CENTCOM, by moving destroyers closer to Israel, should they need to be called to the defense of Israel, you know, the announcement of the [USS] Georgia [a nuclear-powered submarine] as well, having a squadron of F-22s also in the region, I think that gets into the headspace of Iran,” Singh continued. “And I think that gets into — you know, they see us positioning should we need to support Israel, I’m sure that gets to their calculation.”
Singh added that the US has been successful in degrading the military capabilities of the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist group in Yemen. She said US Central command “has done an incredible job of bringing together and leading a coalition of like minded nations to degrade the Houthis’ capabilities.”
Singh conceded that although the Houthis will still be able to “maintain capabilities,” the US Navy has impaired their ability to attack ships and vessels.
“They still maintain a robust arsenal, but we have been able to degrade their capabilities over time and we have been able to protect ships that transit the Red Sea with our alliance through Operation Prosperity Guardian,” Singh said.
