In an announcement on the evening of August 2, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also ordered the dispatch of additional cruisers and destroyers with ballistic missile defense capabilities to the European and Middle East regions, and took steps to send additional land-based ballistic missile defense weapons there.

"Mr. Austin has ordered adjustments to the US military posture to improve the ability to protect US forces, enhance defense support for Israel, and ensure the US is ready to respond to a variety of contingencies," the Pentagon said.

Mr. Austin is ordering the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to the Middle East to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group, which is currently in the Gulf of Oman but is expected to return home by the end of the summer. This suggests that the Pentagon has decided to keep a carrier in the region at all times as a deterrent to Iran, at least until next year.

The Pentagon could provide additional land-based ballistic missile defense systems, such as the Patriot or the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, known as THAAD. Both launch interceptor missiles from specialized mobile launchers on trailers. The Pentagon has not specified which systems would be deployed to bolster defenses in the region.

In a statement, the White House said the move "reaffirms President Joe Biden's commitment to Israel's security against all threats from Iran, including the terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis."

The White House said that in a phone call on August 1 with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr. Biden discussed new US defensive military deployments to support Israel against threats such as missiles and drones.

Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters, AP)