US Department of Defense on Israel-Hezbollah Tensions: "Prepared to Deploy Additional US Troops in the Middle East"

The U.S. government is preparing to deploy additional U.S. troops to the Middle East amid concerns of a full-scale war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Department of Defense spokesperson Pat Ryder stated on the 29th (local time) that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin recently took such measures to strengthen the readiness of U.S. forces to respond to any contingencies.

Ryder said, "Secretary Austin is focused on protecting Americans and troops in the Middle East, defending Israel, and easing tensions through deterrence and diplomacy." He emphasized that the U.S. has the capability to deploy forces to the Middle East on short notice and is dynamically adjusting its military posture according to changes in the security situation.

In particular, Secretary Austin warned that if Iran and its proxy forces exploit the current tensions and expand the conflict by targeting Americans and U.S. interests in the region, the U.S. will take all necessary measures. He also ordered the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG) to remain stationed under U.S. Central Command and directed the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to continue operations in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The White House also announced that it has deployed more U.S. troops to the Middle East than before.

John Kirby, White House National Security Council (NSC) National Security Communications Coordinator, said in an interview with ABC News that "We have deployed additional forces to the region," explaining, "We currently have more military forces stationed in the Middle East than in April, when Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones in retaliation against Israel."

Regarding the destruction of Hezbollah’s leadership in Israel, he said, "The command structure has almost collapsed, and Hezbollah is undoubtedly different from a week ago." However, he assessed that Hezbollah's military capabilities "still remain significant."

The U.S. move to deploy additional troops in the Middle East comes as a measure to prevent tensions in the region from escalating into a full-scale war, following Israel’s destruction of Hezbollah’s command by killing its top leader Hassan Nasrallah.