The United States is contemplating an increase in its military presence in the Middle East following the Israeli airstrike that resulted in the death of Hezbollah political leader Hassan Nasrallah, as reported by NBC News on Saturday, citing sources.
Two unnamed US officials indicated that the military has provided Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin with various options for deploying additional forces to the area. Subsequently, the defense secretary reportedly engaged in discussions regarding this potential shift with President Joe Biden and national security advisors. Although no immediate decisions have been reached, Austin possesses the authority to deploy more troops if deemed necessary.
Earlier this month, the Pentagon had already taken steps to bolster its military presence in the Middle East amid escalating tensions between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel. Currently, approximately 40,000 US troops are stationed in the region, along with more than a dozen warships.
US officials informed the network that the Pentagon believes these forces are sufficient to address potential challenges, but there may be adjustments to current deployments or enhancements in air defense and other capabilities. Additionally, the US is prepared to facilitate an emergency evacuation of American civilians from the region if required, according to the report.
Tensions in the Middle East intensified on Saturday following an Israeli airstrike on a Hezbollah facility in Beirut, resulting in the death of Nasrallah, the long-standing leader of the Islamist group and a staunch adversary of Israel. Authorities in West Jerusalem assert that they have effectively eliminated nearly all of Hezbollah’s military leadership in recent weeks.
In the wake of Nasrallah’s death, Hezbollah vowed to persist in its “jihad against the enemy, in support of Gaza and Palestine.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, cautioned that “the blood of the martyr will not go unavenged.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have stated their readiness to counter any potential retaliation, with military forces placed on “high alert.” Unnamed US officials informed the Washington Post that the Biden administration is also preparing for a possible escalation, noting the unpredictability of the situation in the coming days, particularly concerning Iran’s potential reaction to the assassination.
Additionally, US officials expressed frustration over not receiving prior notice from Israel regarding the operation to eliminate Nasrallah, stating they were taken by surprise by an alleged Israeli initiative that involved detonating pagers and portable radios, which resulted in casualties among Hezbollah members earlier this month.
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