The threat of an attack on Israel by Iran and its regional allies remains, the US said today after a weekend marked by Hezbollah’s attack on Israeli territory.
“We appreciate that an attack threat still exists and we … remain in a position to support Israel’s defenses and protect our forces if they are attacked,” Pentagon spokesman Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters.
Hezbollah launched a major rocket and drone attack against military installations in northern Israel yesterday, which it said had pre-emptively intercepted a “large part” of those hits.
Two aircraft carriers in the Middle East
Pat Ryder assured today that the US was not involved in Israel’s pre-emptive strikes or air defense operations, but it “provided intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance services related to tracking attacks” by Hezbollah.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin “directed two aviation groups to remain in the area” to support Israel, he added. This involves the aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Theodore Roosevelt remaining there for some time, along with their accompanying warships.
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