The United States is increasing its military presence in the Middle East against the backdrop of growing tensions with Iran and continued US strikes on the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the deployment of additional forces to the region, including increasing the number of aircraft carriers in the Middle East to two, along with additional aircraft.

The USS Carl Vinson is expected to arrive in the region after completing exercises in the Indo-Pacific and the duration of the Harry S. Truman’s stay in the Middle East has been extended, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced on Tuesday.

“Secretary of Defense Hegseth continues to make clear that, should Iran or its proxies threaten U.S. personnel and interests in the region, the United States will take decisive action to defend our people,” Parnell said.

Also on Tuesday, the Pentagon announced that Hegseth reinforced U.S. military capability in the Middle East with more warplanes.

The Pentagon did not provide further details but U.S. officials confirmed reports that six B-2 bombers were transferred last week to a U.S.-British military base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

The stealth bombers, capable of carrying the heaviest US bombs and nuclear weapons, are now located in a strategic position to operate in the Middle East, a clear warning sign to Iran.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)