Israel National News reports: “US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of a guided missile submarine and the Abraham Lincoln strike group to the Middle East, the Pentagon announced on Sunday night.

The announcement was made in a statement summarizing a phone call between Austin and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

‘Secretary Austin reiterated the United States’ commitment to take every possible step to defend Israel and noted the strengthening of US military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in light of escalating regional tensions,’ the statement said.

‘Reinforcing this commitment, Secretary Austin has ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, equipped with F-35C fighters, to accelerate its transit to the Central Command area of responsibility, adding to the capabilities already provided by the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group,’ it added.

Austin has also ‘ordered the USS Georgia (SSGN 729) guided missile submarine to the Central Command region’, the Pentagon said…”