Amid Iranian Threats, US Strengthens Military Presence in the Eastern Mediterranean
The U.S. Department of Defense is deploying a squadron of fighter jets to the Middle East aboard aircraft carriers in the Eastern Mediterranean | The Israeli Air Force is on war alert
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
The U.S. Department of Defense is deploying a squadron of fighter jets to the Middle East aboard aircraft carriers in the Eastern Mediterranean. Over the weekend, the Pentagon announced that President Biden has pledged to bolster military presence in the region to protect Israel from Iranian attacks and their proxies, as well as to safeguard U.S. military personnel.
The U.S. is working to build a coalition with Britain and other nations, including regional states, in case Israel is attacked by Iran, as happened in April, when a coalition helped Israel thwart the attack.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of destroyers and ballistic missile defense-capable ships to the region and is considering measures to send additional munitions. Austin has instructed to enhance the U.S. military presence to improve American defensive capabilities and support Israel's defense. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh stated that the U.S. does not believe war is inevitable.
President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu on Thursday about the U.S. military presence in the region, aimed at defending against ballistic missile and drone attacks. Biden told reporters over the weekend that the attempts on leaders "were not helpful" and mentioned in his conversation with Netanyahu that "we have a basis for a ceasefire" and that he should act on that basis.
Lloyd Austin has ordered the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its escort ships to sail to the Mediterranean to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which is currently in the Gulf of Aden and will return to its home base in the U.S.
Defense News reports that the deployment of aircraft carriers indicates that the U.S. plans to maintain this significant reinforcement as a deterrent for a year or more. Additionally, two American destroyers currently in the Red Sea will sail north to the Eastern Mediterranean.
The British newspaper The Guardian reported that France has urged its citizens to leave Iran, while the Cypriot government announced it is preparing plans for the mass evacuation of citizens from the region in case of war.
Air Force on war alert
The Air Force, like the entire IDF, is on high alert for possible attacks from the north, east, or south. Israel's airspace is clear for Air Force aircraft as civilian flights to Israel have been almost unprecedentedly reduced.
Israel is connected to the world through a handful of foreign airlines and three Israeli carriers. Due to regional tensions, 25 airlines canceled flights to Israel by Saturday afternoon, leaving over ten thousand Israelis stranded in various cities, struggling to find flights back to Israel. Relief for the stranded is almost exclusively coming from the Israeli carriers El Al, Arkia, and Israir, which continue to operate flights and promise to assist stranded passengers.
Two major American airlines, Delta and United Airlines, have canceled flights to the U.S. The low-cost giant Wizz Air has canceled hundreds of flights to and from Israel. Established airlines such as Lufthansa, Swiss, Air India, Iberia, and many others have also canceled flights.
El Al has announced it will add flights to various destinations to rescue stranded passengers. Arkia announced there will be changes to its flight schedule, but flights will continue. Israir continues to operate as usual.
The U.S. Department of Defense is deploying a squadron of fighter jets to the Middle East aboard aircraft carriers in the Eastern Mediterranean | The Israeli Air Force is on war alert
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
The U.S. Department of Defense is deploying a squadron of fighter jets to the Middle East aboard aircraft carriers in the Eastern Mediterranean. Over the weekend, the Pentagon announced that President Biden has pledged to bolster military presence in the region to protect Israel from Iranian attacks and their proxies, as well as to safeguard U.S. military personnel.
The U.S. is working to build a coalition with Britain and other nations, including regional states, in case Israel is attacked by Iran, as happened in April, when a coalition helped Israel thwart the attack.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of destroyers and ballistic missile defense-capable ships to the region and is considering measures to send additional munitions. Austin has instructed to enhance the U.S. military presence to improve American defensive capabilities and support Israel's defense. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh stated that the U.S. does not believe war is inevitable.
President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu on Thursday about the U.S. military presence in the region, aimed at defending against ballistic missile and drone attacks. Biden told reporters over the weekend that the attempts on leaders "were not helpful" and mentioned in his conversation with Netanyahu that "we have a basis for a ceasefire" and that he should act on that basis.
Lloyd Austin has ordered the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its escort ships to sail to the Mediterranean to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which is currently in the Gulf of Aden and will return to its home base in the U.S.
Defense News reports that the deployment of aircraft carriers indicates that the U.S. plans to maintain this significant reinforcement as a deterrent for a year or more. Additionally, two American destroyers currently in the Red Sea will sail north to the Eastern Mediterranean.
The British newspaper The Guardian reported that France has urged its citizens to leave Iran, while the Cypriot government announced it is preparing plans for the mass evacuation of citizens from the region in case of war.
Air Force on war alert
The Air Force, like the entire IDF, is on high alert for possible attacks from the north, east, or south. Israel's airspace is clear for Air Force aircraft as civilian flights to Israel have been almost unprecedentedly reduced.
Israel is connected to the world through a handful of foreign airlines and three Israeli carriers. Due to regional tensions, 25 airlines canceled flights to Israel by Saturday afternoon, leaving over ten thousand Israelis stranded in various cities, struggling to find flights back to Israel. Relief for the stranded is almost exclusively coming from the Israeli carriers El Al, Arkia, and Israir, which continue to operate flights and promise to assist stranded passengers.
Two major American airlines, Delta and United Airlines, have canceled flights to the U.S. The low-cost giant Wizz Air has canceled hundreds of flights to and from Israel. Established airlines such as Lufthansa, Swiss, Air India, Iberia, and many others have also canceled flights.
El Al has announced it will add flights to various destinations to rescue stranded passengers. Arkia announced there will be changes to its flight schedule, but flights will continue. Israir continues to operate as usual.
