The United States military is reportedly expected to increase its presence in the Middle East in the coming weeks.
The U.S. Defense Department has reported that they will be moving a fighter jet squadron and maintaining an aircraft carrier in the region.
The department also said in a statement that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the European and Middle East region as well.
The agency did not say where the fighter jet squadron was coming from or where it would be based in the Middle East.
The move comes as U.S. leaders worry about violence in the Middle East in response to recent attacks on Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.
Earlier this week, Senior Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh was reportedly assassinated in Tehran, Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard announced.
Haniyeh, one of the most senior Hamas officials, was killed in Tehran where he was visiting for the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s new president.
“Early this morning, the residence of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran was struck, resulting in his and one of his body guards’ martyrdom. The cause is under investigation and will be announced soon,” the Revolutionary Guards said at the time.
Although Israel has vowed to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders, they have not claimed responsibility for the attack.
