US Military Increases Air Force And Preparedness Of Its Troops In The Middle East

JAKARTA - The United States military said on Sunday it was increasing its air support capabilities in the Middle East and placing troops on higher readiness to deploy to the region, warning Iran against expanding the ongoing conflict.

The announcement comes two days after President Joe Biden directed the Pentagon to adjust to the posture of US troops in the Middle East, amid growing fears that the Israeli-backed assassination of the Hezbollah leader could prompt Tehran to retaliate.

"The United States is determined to prevent Iran and its Iran-backed partners and proxies from exploiting the situation or expanding the conflict," Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder said in a statement.

Furthermore, Major General Ryder warned that if Iran or Tehran-backed groups "used this moment to target US personnel or interests in the region, the United States would take every necessary action to defend our people."

The Pentagon's statement provided little hint of the size or scope of the new deployment of air, and simply said "we will further strengthen our defensive air support capabilities in the coming days."

Israel struck more targets in Lebanon on Sunday, putting pressure on Hezbollah with a new attack after killing the group's leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and a series of other high-ranking commanders in an escalating military campaign.

The attack has dealt a series of crushing blows to Hezbollah after nearly a year of cross-border attacks, killing most of its leaders and uncovering a gaping security gap.

However, it also raises questions about the goals expressed openly by Washington to stem the conflict and safeguard US personnel across the Middle East.

Meanwhile, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Sunday the United States was observing to see what Hezbollah was doing to try to fill his leadership vacuum, "and continue to talk to Israel about what the next step would be."

The Pentagon said US troops were being prepared for deployment, if necessary.

"(Minister of Defense Lloyd Austin) is increasing the readiness of additional US troops to deploy, increasing our readiness to respond to various possibilities," Major GeneralRIDer said in a statement.