Following Israel’s recent attack on Iran, the United States has begun moving military assets toward the Middle East amid fears of a potential retaliatory strike by Tehran. According to an AP report, the US Navy has ordered the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner—equipped with ballistic missile defense capabilities—to sail from the western Mediterranean toward eastern waters.
Second US destroyer repositioned as precaution
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In addition, the US military has instructed a second destroyer to advance eastward, ensuring it’s within reach should the White House call on it.
“President Donald Trump is meeting with his National Security Council principals Friday to discuss the situation,” the AP report notes. US officials, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that military forces have been taking precautionary steps for several days. These include allowing military dependents to voluntarily depart from bases in the region to ensure their safety in case of a broader Iranian response.
US troop presence surges in the Middle East
Currently, about 30,000 US troops are stationed in the Middle East, with up to 40,000 troops available amid the ongoing conflict. This marks a sharp increase in regional deployment as tensions between Israel and Iran have steadily escalated over the past year.
The AP report also indicates that the Navy has other assets ready to head toward the Middle East if necessary, including aircraft carriers and warships capable of providing rapid support.
Meanwhile, the USS Carl Vinson, the only aircraft carrier currently in the region, is stationed in the Arabian Sea, providing a critical forward presence as the situation unfolds.
