Washington, June 17 (V7N) — The United States has announced plans to deploy additional troops to the Middle East in light of the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the decision in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday.

Hegseth stated that the move aims to bolster the country’s defense posture and operational capabilities in the region. “The protection of American forces remains our top priority,” he emphasized.

The announcement coincides with the deployment of the US Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, which is currently en route from Southeast Asia to the Middle East. The Nimitz was initially scheduled for a port visit to Vietnam this week. However, amid heightened tensions following Iran and Israel’s recent strikes against each other, the Pentagon redirected the carrier to the Arabian Sea.

The strategic move is viewed as part of Washington’s broader effort to deter further escalation in the region and ensure the security of US assets and allies.

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