U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a major step in response to the growing hostilities between Iran and Israel, confirming that additional American defense systems were being dispatched to the Middle East.
“Protecting US forces is our top priority, and these deployments are intended to strengthen our defensive posture in the region,” Hegseth wrote in a message shared on X.
Although he did not reveal the specifics of the military reinforcements, two American officials told Reuters that the Pentagon had relocated a large number of aerial refueling planes to Europe. This move was described as part of a strategy to provide President Donald Trump with a range of military options as the situation in the Middle East grows more volatile.
The officials also stated that the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier was on its way to the region. One source noted that this was a previously scheduled deployment. The Nimitz has the capacity to carry about 5,000 crew members along with more than 60 aircraft, including combat jets, Reuters reported.
No further information was given regarding the number or types of aircraft being used in this mission.
Hegseth’s announcement came shortly before President Trump issued a striking warning on Truth Social, in which he called for citizens of Tehran to flee the city.
“Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” he wrote.
Trump later posted another message, stating, “AMERICA FIRST means many GREAT things, including the fact that, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”
Speaking earlier in the day at the G7 summit, President Trump addressed reporters, saying that Iran had resumed negotiations and that an agreement was now within reach. “They would be foolish not to,” he said.
He added, “I’m in constant touch [with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu], and as I’ve been saying, I think a deal will be signed, or something will happen, but a deal will be signed, and I think Iran is foolish not to sign one. Iran should have signed the deal.”
The President concluded his remarks by saying, “I think Iran basically is at the negotiating table. They want to make a deal, and as soon as I leave here, we’re going to be doing something.”
{Matzav.com}