There is still time for diplomacy to work in the Middle East, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said during a news conference on Wednesday.
U.S. forces are moving into the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility as a deterrence measure, he said. The Air Force has moved F-22 Raptor aircraft into the region, and the U.S. Navy is moving the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group — centered around F-35C Lightning II aircraft — to the region, as well. The USS Georgia, a guided missile submarine, is also progressing there.
Today, there are approximately 40,000 U.S. service members in the Centcom region, Ryder said.
The Defense Department continues to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is in almost daily contact with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and other partners in the region, Ryder said.
The destroyer USS Spruance sails alongside the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln during a replenishment-at-sea in the Pacific. The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is underway to the U.S. Central Command’s area of operations. © Navy Seaman Joey Sitter
“The U.S. remains intensely focused on de-escalating tensions in the region, while also remaining focused on securing a cease-fire as part of a hostage deal to bring all of the hostages home and to end the war in Gaza,” the general said.
In his most recent phone call with Gallant, Austin assured the Israeli leader of the United States’ commitment to take every possible step to defend Israel. He also noted the strengthening of U.S. military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in light of escalating regional tensions, Ryder said.
“These U.S. military force-posture adjustments are designed to improve U.S. force protection, to increase our support for the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to a wide variety of contingencies,” Ryder said.
Austin and Gallant also discussed Israeli operations in Gaza, and the secretary once again emphasized the importance of mitigating civilian harm, the general said.
Iran and Iranian-backed groups have threatened to attack Israel, and Ryder said the United States must take these threats seriously. “But our focus is on de-escalating tensions, working on enabling that cease-fire, and getting the hostages returned.”
The United States wants to deter a wider, regional war in the Middle East, the general said. “No one wants to see escalation,” he said. “No one wants to see a wider, regional conflict. So, hopefully, we don’t find ourselves in a situation of having to employ those capabilities. But if we need to in the defense of Israel, we will.”
