web counter
LEXO PA REKLAMA!

SHKARKO APP

App Store
Google Play

White House: Increasing military presence in the Middle East, preventive measure to reduce tensions

2024-08-04 21:18:27, Kosova & Bota CNA

White House: Increasing military presence in the Middle East, preventive measure

The United States is increasing its military presence in the Middle East as a defensive measure aimed at reducing tensions in the region, a White House official said Sunday.

Regional tensions have risen after the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, one of the leaders of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in the Iranian capital Tehran on Wednesday, a day after an Israeli strike in the Lebanese capital Beirut killed Fuad Shukri, a senior military commander of the Lebanese group Hezbollah. Both groups are backed by Iran.

Concerns are mounting that Israel's war against Palestinian militants in Gaza could escalate into a wider conflict in the Middle East.

Iran and Hamas have blamed Israel for Haniyeh's killing and, along with Hezbollah, have vowed revenge. Israel has neither admitted nor denied responsibility.

The Pentagon said Friday it will deploy additional fighter jets and Navy warships to the region.

"The overall objective is to lower the temperature in the region, deter and defend against attacks and avoid regional conflict," said Jonathan Finer, deputy White House national security adviser, in an interview with CBS television.

The United States and Israel are preparing for every possible scenario, Mr. Finer added.

Mr. Finer cited the fact that the outbreak of a regional conflict was very close in April, when Iran launched a drone attack on Israeli territory with drones and missiles.

The strike by Iran followed a suspected Israeli attack on Tehran's consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus on April 1, in which seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed.

"The United States wants to be prepared if this situation arises again," Mr. Finer added.

US President Joe Biden expressed hope on Saturday that Iran would back down despite threatening to retaliate for Haniyeh's killing.

"It's not a prediction of future events. It's careful planning for them and for our government," Mr. Finer said on CBS./ VOA





Lajmet e fundit nga