Iran Nuclear submarine: USA further strengthens military presence in the Middle East

In view of an expected Iranian counterattack on Israel, the US military is increasing its presence in the Middle East even further. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of the nuclear-powered submarine "USS Georgia", and the aircraft carrier "USS Abraham Lincoln" and its escort ships are also to accelerate their transit to the region, the Pentagon explained. The aircraft carrier with its F-35 fighter jets will join the aircraft carrier group "USS Theodore Roosevelt" already in the region.

In a conversation with his Israeli counterpart Joav Galant, Minister Austin once again emphasized the United States' commitment to "take every possible step to defend Israel" in view of the "escalating regional tensions", the Pentagon continued.

The US military's aircraft carriers, which are also powered by nuclear reactors and are a good 300 meters long, are each equipped with dozens of fighter planes, and their formations also include destroyers and other warships. According to a US military website, the approximately 110-metre-long submarine "USS Georgia" can be equipped with up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Just over ten days ago, Secretary of Defense Austin announced the deployment of additional destroyers with ballistic missile defence capabilities and another fighter squadron to the Middle East. Steps would also be taken to "increase readiness to deploy additional land-based ballistic missile defenses", according to a Pentagon statement.

Following the killing of the foreign head of Hamas in an attack during a visit to Tehran, an Iranian counter-attack is feared. The USA is expected to support Israel in defending against attacking missiles and drones. The US and allies had also supported Israel in the first direct Iranian attack on Israel in April, when Tehran attacked the Jewish state with 330 missiles, cruise missiles and drones.