US deploys guided missile submarine to Middle East amid rising tensions
The United States has deployed a guided missile submarine to the Middle East as tensions in the region escalate. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that the USS Georgia, a submarine capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, has been sent to the area. Also, the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, which includes F-35C fighter jets, has been ordered to accelerate its journey to the region.
These actions come amid concerns of a broader regional conflict following the recent assassinations of senior Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. The U.S. move signals a strong commitment to defending Israel against any potential attacks from Iran. Secretary Austin emphasized that the U.S. would “take every possible step” to protect its ally.
Iran is under close scrutiny for any signs of retaliation after the assassination of Hamas’s top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran on July 31. Iran has accused Israel of the assassination and vowed to retaliate, though Israel has not officially commented on the incident.
In response to the growing threat, several airlines have suspended flights to key airports in the region. Lufthansa, Swiss Air, and Air France have all canceled flights to destinations including Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Erbil, and Tehran, citing security concerns.
Experts suggest that the public deployment of the submarine serves as a deterrent to Iran and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia in Lebanon. However, some analysts, like Professor Mehran Kamrava from Georgetown University in Qatar, believe that the deployment might also indicate that Iran is planning a retaliatory strike.
As the situation develops, there is ongoing concern about potential attacks from Hezbollah, which has vowed to respond to the killing of senior commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut, just hours before Haniyeh’s assassination.
The Biden administration continues to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza as the best solution to de-escalate the situation. However, Hamas has responded to U.S. efforts by insisting that any ceasefire talks must be based on previous agreements rather than starting new negotiations.
Meanwhile, the leaders of the UK, France, and Germany have joined the U.S. in calling for a resumption of ceasefire talks, stressing the urgency of preventing further escalation and working toward regional stability.
Credit: BBC
