The US military announced that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its escorting destroyers had arrived in the Middle East, strengthening the US presence in the region.
The United States took additional measures following the assassinations by Israel of Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran and Hezbollah threaten Israel with retaliation.
The aircraft carrier substitutes for the USS Theodore Roosevelt as US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin orders “accelerated transit” of an aircraft carrier strike group with F-35 fighter jets into the region.
The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), equipped with F-35C and F/A-18 Block III fighters, entered the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility.
The military command also reported on Wednesday that Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 would escort the USS Abraham Lincoln.
