The Secretary of Defense of the United States, Lloyd Austin, said that the United States government is afraid that the conflict between Israel and the Gaza Strip may escalate and that it will affect other countries in the region.
“We are concerned about a possible escalation,” said the US official in an interview with ABC, where he detailed that his government has already seen a potential increase in attacks on troops and citizens in the US close to the conflict area.
“So we’re going to do what it takes to make sure our troops are in the right position, they’re protected, and we have the ability to respond,” he said.
Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, also expressed these concerns and added that the authorities of the United States are taking all possible measures to protect their personnel. The official warned that they are taking all possible measures and will respond if necessary.
“This is not what we are looking for; this is not what we want, but we will prepare,” the diplomat said in an interview he gave to CBS.
The US Department of Defense reported that it will send more missiles and defense systems to the Middle East, specifically ordering the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier to be transferred to the Central Command area.
They also ordered the deployment of anti-aircraft defense systems at various “locations in the region to increase the protection of US forces,” according to a statement from the agency.
