US increases troop readiness for Middle East deployment

Photo: Patrick Ryder/AP Photo/Cliff Owen

The US military said Sunday it was increasing its air support capabilities in the Middle East and putting troops on high alert to deploy to the region, warning Iran against widening the ongoing conflict.

The statement came two days after US President Joe Biden ordered the Pentagon to adjust the posture of American forces in the Middle East amid growing concerns that Israel's killing of the leader of Iran-backed Hezbollah could prompt Tehran to retaliate, Reuters reported.

“The United States is determined to prevent Iran and the partners and proxies it backs from exploiting the situation or escalating the conflict,”– Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said in a statement.

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He also warned that if Iran or Tehran-backed groups “use this moment to attack American personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take all necessary measures to protect our people.”

The State Department has not yet ordered an evacuation from Lebanon, but U.S. officials told Reuters last week that the Pentagon was sending dozens of additional troops to Cyprus to help the military prepare for a possible evacuation of Americans from Lebanon.

The Pentagon said U.S. troops were preparing to deploy if needed.

“(Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin) has increased the readiness of additional U.S. forces to deploy, which enhances our readiness to respond to a variety of contingencies,” – said Ryder in a statement.

Prepared by: Sergey Daga