The United States (U.S.) is moving military resources, including ships, to the Middle East in response to Israeli attacks on Iran and a possible retaliatory strike by Tehran, U.S. officials said yesterday.
The Navy has ordered the destroyer Thomas Hudner to sail toward the eastern Mediterranean. A second destroyer has been ordered to head in the same direction so that it can be available if requested by the White House.
U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with National Security Council leaders to discuss the situation.
U.S. military forces in the region have already been taking precautionary measures for days, including the voluntary departure of military-dependent personnel from regional bases, in anticipation of strikes and to protect that personnel in case of a response from Tehran.
Usually, about 30.000 U.S. troops are stationed in the Middle East. However, that number rose to 43.000 last October due to ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as continued attacks by Yemen’s Houthis, who are supported by Iran, on commercial and military ships in the Red Sea.
