Singh said she believes some of the aircraft are already on their way to the region, and there is no timeline for the duration of their deployment. The US military is sending an assortment of fighter jets and a warship on a new mission to the Middle East, bringing a firepower boost to the region after Iranian forces recently tried to seize several commercial ships in the area's strategic waterways.Ī Pentagon official said this week that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has authorized the deployment of F-35 and F-16 fighter jets, as well as the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, to the US Central Command's (CENTCOM) area of responsibility 'to defend US interests and safeguard freedom of navigation in the region.' The F-35, a fifth-generation stealth aircraft, is the US military's most advanced fighter jet.Ĭiting two recent incidents of Iranian harassment in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman, Deputy Pentagon Spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters at a Monday briefing that 'in light of this continued threat and in coordination with our partners and allies, the department is increasing our presence and ability to monitor the strait and surrounding waters.' Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.

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