US redirects Navy carrier strike group, deploys high altitude defense missile system and patriot battalions to the Middle East amid escalations by Iran

US redirects Navy carrier strike group, deploys high altitude defense missile system and patriot battalions to the Middle East amid escalations by Iran

Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert

• The US is increasing its "force posture" in the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas war.
• A Navy strike group was redirected and Patriot battalions were activated.
• In a Saturday statement, officials said the moves were made in response to new escalations by Iran.

The US is increasing its military presence in the Middle East amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

In a Saturday statement, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said new steps are being taken to increase the protection of US forces in the region and aid in the defense of Israel following "recent escalations by Iran and its proxy forces."

While representatives of the US Department of Defense declined to answer questions from Insider about the specific actions by Iran that triggered the move, the announcement of new mobilization comes after Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group based in Lebanon, took responsibility on Wednesday for seven attacks directed at Israeli territory. 

The Jerusalem Post reported the attacks included firing on soldiers and surveillance equipment and anti-tank missile strikes. In response, the outlet reported, the Israel Defense Forces said it launched counter-strikes on several Hezbollah targets near the Lebanese-Israeli border.

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