U.S. announces sending a submarine to the Middle East

Fears of possible attacks by Iran and its allies have increased in the Middle East, following the murder of the top leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas the Palestinian group declared a terrorist organisation by the United States and the European Union.

In a media communiqué following a conversation between Austin and his Israeli counterpart, the Pentagon said Austin also ordered the aircraft carrier “Abraham Lincoln” to speed up the division in the region.

“The Austin Secretary reiterated the United States' commitment to taking every step to protect Israel and underscored the reinforcement of American military and weapons presence in the Middle East following the escalation of regional tensions”, the report said.

Earlier, the US Army had announced the additional transfer of fighter aircraft and warships to the Middle East, as Washington aims to reinforce Israel's defence.

Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' political leader, was killed in Tehran on July 31st in an attack that sparked threats of revenge from Iran against Israel. Iran blamed Israel for his murder. Israel has not claimed responsibility, but it has denied either.

The murder of Haniyeh and Fuak Shukr, the senior commander of Iran's militant group, Hezbollah, has raised concerns that the Gaza conflict could turn into a broad war in the Middle East.

Iran said the US is responsible for killing Haneyeh because it supports Israel.

Meanwhile, several American staff members were injured as a result of an attack against an American military base in Iraq, three US officials told Reuters news agency on August 5th. / REL/