US Deploys Additional Fighter Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions with Iran

Weeks after US Navy fighter jets returned home from intercepting Houthi missiles, another contingent has been deployed to the Middle East due to fears of an imminent Iranian offensive.

#BREAKING 🇺🇸⚡️🇮🇷 Reports in the US military began deploying more forces to the Middle East tonight as part of the preparations for the expected Iran’s expected strikes on Israel.

The US army has deployed 12 F/A-18 fighter jets to the region to protect American forces.

Intelsky pic.twitter.com/HT7LYpTzWO

— Jack Straw (@JackStr42679640) August 7, 2024

To protect American troops and support Israel against potential attacks from Iran and its proxies, approximately a dozen F/A-18 fighter jets from the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt have been sent to a military base in the Middle East, according to a US official. These F/A-18s, along with an E-2D Hawkeye surveillance aircraft, departed the carrier in the Gulf of Oman on August 5 and arrived at the undisclosed military base.

This move follows reports that the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier is en route to the Middle East to relieve the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which has been stationed in the region for some time.

In preparation for a possible attack, the US announced the deployment of additional naval fighter jets, cruisers, and destroyers capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. Notably, the naval fighters have been stationed on land, despite the presence of US CENTCOM fighter jets such as the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcons, and A-10 Warthogs in the region.

Furthermore, about a dozen F-22 Raptors are reportedly on their way to the Middle East, expected to join the F/A-18s at the same base, suggesting their deployment might be temporary. The duration of their stay is uncertain and will likely depend on developments in the coming days.

The F/A-18 Super Hornets were previously deployed to intercept missiles fired by Yemen-based Houthi militias following Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza. They also conducted multiple strikes against the Houthis alongside British forces. In January, F/A-18s from the USS Eisenhower and other ships intercepted two anti-ship cruise missiles, a ballistic missile, and 18 drones fired by the Houthis during one engagement.

🇺🇸
12 #US Air Force F-22 Raptor jets landing at RAF Lakenheath before continuing their onward journey to US and Coalition bases in the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/nrEOr0xFTU

— ConflictLive 💬 (@conflict_live) August 7, 2024

The USS Abraham Lincoln, now heading to the Middle East, is equipped with EA-18 Growlers, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, F-35C Joint Strike Fighters, E-2D Hawkeye early warning and control aircraft, MH-60R/S Seahawk helicopters, and C-2 Greyhound delivery planes.

These deployments come after President Joe Biden promised “new defensive US military deployments” to the region, a move welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The US is preparing for potential Iranian retaliation following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader in Tehran, attributed to Israel.

“(United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd) Austin has ordered adjustments to U.S. military posture designed to improve U.S. force protection, to increase support for the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies,” the Pentagon stated.

Concerns of an imminent Iranian attack have been heightened following the deaths of Ismail Haniyeh and top Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut last week. Speculation about a regional conflict involving Iran, its proxies, Israel, and its Western allies has intensified.

Iranian officials have vowed retaliation, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani stating that regional security can only be achieved by “punishing the aggressor and creating deterrence against the adventurism of the Zionist regime [Israel].”

#Iran #Israel #Hamas #Irak #Palestine #Houthis #Syria #GazaGenocide

Video hours before the moment of the landing of US F-22 Raptor stealth fighters on the runway of Lickenheath Air Base in Great Britain

Following the escalation of regional tensions, a squadron of these… pic.twitter.com/G06CFMtNR5

— Koba (@Roberto05246129) August 6, 2024

Military analysts believe Iran might respond to the attacks on its territory, potentially with Hezbollah’s support, raising the risk of further escalation and a broader regional conflict.

Major Points:

• The US has sent about a dozen F/A-18 fighter jets from the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt to a military base in the Middle East amid fears of an imminent Iranian offensive.
• The USS Abraham Lincoln is heading to the Middle East to relieve the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which has been stationed in the region for some time.
• The US is deploying additional naval fighter jets, cruisers, and destroyers capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, and about a dozen F-22 Raptors are expected to join the F/A-18s at the same base.
• Previously, F/A-18 Super Hornets intercepted missiles fired by Yemen-based Houthi militias and conducted strikes against the Houthis, alongside British forces.
• The US is preparing for potential Iranian retaliation following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, with heightened concerns of a broader regional conflict involving Iran, its proxies, and Israel.

TL Holcomb – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News