The United States has stated that if necessary, it will defend Israel and protect its forces and assets.
U.S. forces are ready in the Middle East in case Iran or its proxies attempt to strike Israel, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder announced today.
U.S. Central Command is still monitoring the situation in the Middle East, and U.S. naval and aviation forces remain “postured to support the defense of Israel and protect U.S. troops and assets in the region,” Ryder stated.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III called Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant twice this week to reaffirm America’s “ironclad” commitment to defending the country, the general said.
There are now two US carrier strike groups in the region, centered on the USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Abraham Lincoln. A squadron of F-22 Raptors has already been deployed, and the missile submarine USS Georgia is making its way to the region.
These forces will remain in the region for as long as they are required. “We remain intently focused on de-escalating tensions in the Middle East while also remaining focused on securing a cease-fire as part of a hostage deal to bring all of the hostages home and to end the war in Gaza,” Mr. Ryder added.
In the Red Sea, Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists assaulted the Greek-flagged oil tanker MV Delta Sounion, which was transporting a million barrels of crude oil. The ship was heading from Iraq to Greece with a crew of two Russians and 23 Filipino seamen when it was assaulted and set on fire. The crew has evacuated with the help of a partner nation vessel.
“The MV Delta Sounion now sits immobilized in the Red Sea, where it is currently on fire and appears to be leaking oil, presenting both a navigational hazard and a potential environmental catastrophe,” the commander stated. “The Houthis claim they are carrying out these strikes in support of the Palestinian people. Their behaviors prove otherwise.
In truth, these are just reckless acts of terrorism that continue to disrupt global and regional commerce, endanger the lives of innocent civilian mariners, and jeopardize the vibrant maritime ecosystem in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden—their own backyard.”
Centcom is working with allies and partners to assess how to effectively assist the vessel while mitigating the potential environmental impact, he said.
“We are aware of a third party that attempted to send two tugs to the vessel to help salvage [it], but they were warned away by the Houthi and threatened with being attacked, which again demonstrates [the Houthi’s] blatant disregard for not only human life but also for the potential environmental catastrophe that this presents,” he claimed.
Ryder stated that the deployment of US military capabilities to the region has conveyed a clear message of deterrence, with the goal of avoiding a larger regional conflict. “Right now, we still assess that the conflict between Israel and Hamas is contained in Gaza,” he told reporters. “You’ve seen the cross-border strikes between Israel and Hezbollah since October 8. What you witnessed over the weekend was, of course, on a much larger scale than what we’ve seen previously, but it is not, in our opinion, a larger regional conflict at this time, and so we’ll continue to focus on de-escalation of tensions in the region.”
