US to boost military presence in the Middle East, sending fighter jet squadron and keeping carrier in region
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00:00It could be the largest movement of US forces in the region since the early days of the
00:04war in Gaza. The US has announced the deployment of additional warships and fighter jets to
00:09the Middle East as it braces for an attack from Iran.
00:12These are defensive capabilities. As we have done before, since October 7th and what we
00:18did on April 13th, all of our capabilities that we have there in the region are defensive
00:24and to send a message of deterrence.
00:28Iran has vowed to retaliate against Israel after the assassination of Hamas political
00:32leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday. Iran's leader Ayatollah Khamenei has promised
00:38quote harsh punishment and declared three days of national mourning.
00:42Thousands gathered across the Middle East and beyond on Friday to pay their respects
00:46like here in Sana'a, in Beirut or in Doha where Haniyeh was buried.
00:53Israel has not commented on the killing but US officials have warned of a potentially
00:56complex retaliation coordinated with Iranian proxies in the region.
01:01Potentially Hezbollah would fire rockets, also the Hashd al-Shaabi, the PMF force in
01:05Iraq can attack US bases there and also the Houthis in Yemen can also block further shipping
01:12in the Red Sea.
01:14Israel meanwhile says it's sending a delegation to Cairo this weekend for ceasefire negotiations
01:18but Haniyeh's assassination has likely hampered those efforts.