A second U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, arrived in the Middle East on Wednesday, Aug. 21, joining the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which has been stationed in the region since mid-July. The U.S. military’s Central Command shared video of F-35 jets taking off from the Lincoln’s deck, highlighting the heightened military presence in response to rising tensions between Iran and Israel.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the Lincoln to the region earlier this month, along with the guided missile submarine USS Georgia, to bolster U.S. forces amid fears of a potential Iranian attack on Israel.
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Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said the movements are “for ensuring that we have the forces in theater to respond to something if it happens now, but also ensuring we have forces in theater to be able to respond to whatever could be next in terms of potential escalation and trying to de-escalate the situation.”
The Lincoln and Georgia join other U.S. assets, including eight destroyers already in the region. This latest deployment follows back-to-back assassinations at the end of July, including the killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. Israel has not confirmed responsibility for the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which has led to further threats of retaliation from Iran.
Amid the military buildup, President Joe Biden stressed the importance of diplomacy during a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging the conclusion of cease-fire and hostage release talks. The White House described the upcoming discussions in Cairo as “crucial” to stabilizing the region.