US continues to 'monitor attack planning from Iran': Pentagon

US Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin, and Israeli Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, on Friday discussed rising tensions in the Middle East, the Pentagon said, Anadolu Agency reports.

Austin and Gallant exchanged views on the regional instability and the “growing risk of escalation” from Iran, Lebanese group, Hezbollah and groups across the Middle East, spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement.

Austin informed Gallant that the US “continues to monitor attack planning from Iran and its proxies and is well-postured across the region to defend Israel and protect US personnel and facilities,” Ryder added.

The defence chiefs also discussed progress toward securing a ceasefire and the release of all hostages, including eight Americans, held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The Pentagon announced earlier this month that the US will deploy additional military assets to the Middle East ahead of a possible retaliation by Iran against Israel.

READ: Israel security officials warn government of imminent attack by Iran, Hezbollah: Report

Austin ordered the “USS Abraham Lincoln” Carrier Strike Group, equipped with F-35C fighters, to accelerate transit to the Central Command area of ​​responsibility, adding to capabilities already provided by the “USS Theodore Roosevelt” Carrier Strike Group.

Additionally, he ordered the “USS Georgia”guided missile submarine to the Central Command region.

There are approximately 40,000 US personnel in the US Central Command area of ​​responsibility, Tom Crosson, a Pentagon spokesman said. “Routinely, there are approximately 34,000 in the region,” Crosson said.

Tensions are running high in the Middle East following the 31 July assassination of Hamas’ political chief, Dr.Ismail Haniyeh, in the Iranian capital of Tehran and Israel’s assassination of senior Hezbollah Commander, Fuad Shukr, in an air strike on a southern suburb of Beirut on 30 July.

Hamas and Iran have accused Israel of carrying out Haniyeh’s assassination, while Tel Aviv has not confirmed or denied responsibility.

Iran vowed “harsh punishment” for Israel for Haniyeh’s killing on Iranian soil.

The escalation comes amid an ongoing Israeli offensive against the Gaza Strip which has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians following an attack 7 October by the Palestinian Resistance group, Hamas, that killed 1,139 Israelis.

However, since then, it has been revealed by Haaretz that helicopters and tanks of the Israeli army had, in fact, killed many of the 1,139 soldiers and civilians claimed by Israel to have been killed by the Palestinian Resistance.

READ: MK Gantz tells Netanyahu to ‘be brave and stop playing with Israel’s fate’