2 October :The United States is preparing to further strengthen its military presence in the Middle East amid tensions surrounding Iran. As part of the planned buildup, Washington is moving towards deploying three aircraft carriers and two amphibious landing groups in the region. The USS Theodore Roosevelt has already departed the US naval base in San Diego for the Middle East.
Citing a US official, Qatar-based Al Jazeera reported that the full deployment of the warships and landing groups around Iran could be completed by the end of November.
The ‘Makin Island Marine Expeditionary Unit’ also left the San Diego base for the Middle East on Monday. According to the report, the unit includes more than 2,000 Marines.
Speaking to Al Jazeera Arabic, the US official said significant military capabilities were being assembled in the Middle East. This would provide US policymakers and military leaders with multiple strategic options for responding to a range of potential scenarios involving Iran, the official said.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts over a possible understanding with Iran are continuing amid heightened tensions. US President Donald Trump said the situation involving Iran was rapidly approaching a conclusion.
Responding to questions from reporters at the Oval Office, Trump said, “We’re getting close to the point where we either blow them away, or we make a deal.” He added that, “one way or the other, this is going to be ending very soon.”
The reported military buildup comes as Washington and Tehran remain engaged in efforts to resolve their conflict and tensions continue to rise in the region.
Source: Al Jazeera