Second US aircraft carrier arrives in the Middle East, Iran issues "ultimatum"

The US Navy's USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier during an exercise in the Arabian Sea on April 17 (Photo: Reuters).

The US Central Command announced on November 5 that a second US aircraft carrier strike group had arrived in the Middle East to strengthen the US military's "position" in the region, amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

"The strike group is commanded by Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2 and includes the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), guided-missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Gravely (DDG 107) of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 with nine air wings," the statement said.

Earlier, the US sent the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest warship and the US Navy's most advanced aircraft carrier, to the Middle East to send a message of support for long-time ally Israel, while warning Iran and the Tehran-backed Hezbollah force in Lebanon.

According to a statement from the US Department of Defense in late October, senior US defense officials said US efforts in the Middle East were aimed at "supporting Israel's right to self-defense and deterring violence."

In addition to the two US aircraft carrier strike groups, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also ordered the deployment of a terminal high-altitude area defense battery and additional Patriot battalions to the region. These assets are intended to enhance the ability to protect US forces in the region.

"Our carrier strike groups allow us to deploy independently, anywhere in the world, and immediately upon arrival. When we send a carrier, we are sending a very strong signal to our adversaries, as well as to our allies and partners about our level of support and the ability of the US military to respond quickly and flexibly to contingencies anywhere in the world," the US defense official said.

During a meeting on November 5, Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that the PA is ready to participate in the governance of Gaza "within the framework of a comprehensive political solution that includes the entire West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip".

Mr Blinken told the Palestinian leader that the PA should play a key role in “what happens next in Gaza”.

On the same day, Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani warned that the US could face a "serious attack" if it did not intervene to end the war between Israel and Hamas.

"Our advice to the Americans is to stop the war between Israel and Hamas immediately and ensure a ceasefire, otherwise the US will face a serious attack," Mr. Ashtiani warned.

Tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate after Hamas - a force believed to be backed by Tehran - launched an attack against Israel.

Iran has repeatedly accused the US of stoking tensions in the Middle East. Earlier this month, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian called on Washington to end its support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas.

Iran, which does not recognize Israel and has made support for Palestine a central part of its foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, was among the first countries to praise Hamas' attack.

The Israeli military accused Iran of instructing Hezbollah forces in Lebanon to carry out attacks on the Lebanon-Israel border.

The White House also accused Iran in October of "actively facilitating" Tehran-backed groups to carry out missile and drone attacks on US military bases in Iraq and Syria.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/tau-san-bay-thu-hai-cua-my-toi-trung-dong-iran-ra-toi-hau-thu-20231106061102559.htm