Key Takeaways:
- In case the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates, the US increases its weaponry in the region.
- The United States already has the biggest and newest aircraft carrier in the world in the eastern Mediterranean, and a second one is expected to join it in the following ten days.
As international concerns about a wider regional battle rise, the United States is increasing its firepower in the Middle East to halt the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas and dissuade Iran from joining it. The world’s largest and newest aircraft carrier of the United States is already in the eastern Mediterranean, and a second one is scheduled to join it within the next ten days.
Although the White House claims there are “no plans or intentions” for their use, this indicates that, if necessary, U.S. military forces would be available to offer air assistance to safeguard the country’s national security interests. The United States also has a number of bases in the Middle East that are home to soldiers, fighter jets, and vessels.
“We are making every effort to prevent this from escalating into a regional conflict. Under the condition of anonymity, a U.S. official predicted that if that occurred, it would significantly divert American resources. “I don’t want to speculate on what assistance can be offered if there is a wider conflict, those decisions haven’t been made yet.”
After several days of Middle East shuttle diplomacy, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent a direct message to Iran, an enemy of the United States, saying: “When it comes to Israel security, we have Israel’s back.”
According to him, the deployment of two aircraft carrier strike groups was done “not to provoke anyone, but just to send a very clear message of deterrence that no one should do anything that widens this conflict in any way, or that furthers aggression against Israel from any other direction.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian warned on Sunday that “the hands of all parties in the region are on the trigger,” and Iran’s mission to the UN in New York said its armed forces would not engage militarily if Israel did not attack it, its interests, or its citizens.
Since its fighters attacked Israeli cities eight days ago, killing 1,300 people and taking prisoners in the bloodiest attack on civilians in Israeli history, Israel has pledged to completely destroy Iran-backed Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.
John Kirby, a spokesman for the White House on national security, responded, “No plans or intentions at this time,” when asked whether the United States could send air support in northern Israel.
“That said, we take our national security interests seriously and we have ample military force in the region to protect and defend those interests as needed,” said Kirby.
American President Joe Biden, a Democrat, would make the final decision about the start of any military operation in the Middle East. Republicans have previously expressed some support for such a measure.
Senator Lindsey Graham, a significant Republican voice on national security issues, told Reuters on Sunday that if “a second front is opened in the north” of Israel, he would ask Congress to approve a U.S. attack on Iran’s oil industry.
Speaking under the condition of anonymity, two U.S. officials claimed that the presence of military ships in the area was not part of any predetermined plan for the country to get involved, but rather as a show of force and to provide Vice President Biden choices should the need arise.
