Tehran: US has deployed its Navy in the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea amidst the rising tensions between Israel and Iran. The country might even enter the war in the coming days. The US has deployed its missile destroyer in the region to counter any Iranian offensive.
US deploys USS Thomas Hudner
The US has deployed the USS Thomas Hudner, DDG 116 in the region to counter Iran. This is a state of the art guided missile destroyer. The US deployed it in the Eastern Mediterranean region in order to protect Israel from any attack by Iran.
One must note that 8 other US missile destroyers were already deployed in the region. The DDG 116 is the ninth one in the area. These missile destroyers are already active in the 5th Fleet (Red Sea, Persian Gulf region) and 6th Fleet (Mediterranean Sea). These are meant to intercept enemy missiles, provide air defence and create strategic pressure on Iran.
Apart from the DDG 116, the US has also deployed USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CSG). This is deployed under Central Command (CENTCOM), which conducts US military operations in West Asia. The warship is deployed in a region very close to Israel and can be immediately pressed into action, in case the country (Israel) needs help.
Next is the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG). This warship is deployed currently in INDOPACOM(Indo-Pacific Region). If the tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, this warship may be redeployed in West Asia.
Israel-Iran tensions
Meanwhile tensions between Israel and Iran escalated following airstrikes by Israel. Israel claimed that it was protecting itself against Iran’s unchecked nuclear programme.
The attacks by Israel killed several top Army officials in Iran. In retaliation, Iran launched ballistic missile attacks on several Israeli targets and shot down Israeli jets. Not only that, the Supreme Leader of the country, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel. He said that the Iranian Army, backed by the people of the country, was ready to retaliate against any Israeli attack.
He also termed Israel’s action as a “big mistake” and a “grave error”. He warned that the retaliatory action by Iran will bring the “Zionist regime to ruin.”
