U.S. Redeploys USS Lincoln From Pacific to Mideast in Order to Deter Iran
The U.S. Navy is increasing its presence in the Middle East to address potential threats from Iran, deploying the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to join existing forces in the region. According to the Pentagon, the USS Abraham Lincoln will leave the Western Pacific and head to the 5th Fleet area to relieve the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which has been on station for about three weeks after replacing the USS Gerald R. Ford.
Additionally, the Department of Defense is sending extra cruisers and destroyers with ballistic-missile defense capabilities to the region. These measures aim to protect Israel from possible Iranian retaliation after two significant Israeli assassination operations. On July 31, Israel assassinated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, and on July 30, the Israeli Air Force killed Hezbollah’s military leader Fuad Shukr in Beirut.
Iran and its proxies, particularly Hezbollah, are expected to retaliate against Israel with missile and drone attacks. According to the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, these attacks may be coordinated. Unlike the previous large-scale Iranian attack on Israel in April, which was preceded by clear warnings, analysts suggest that this time Iran might not provide any advance notice.
