US to deploy guided missile submarines to Middle East

According to The Times of Israel on August 12, the Pentagon announced the above information in a statement. This is a rare move by the US when announcing the movement of a submarine.

The Pentagon added that Mr Austin had also ordered the Abraham Lincoln strike group to accelerate its deployment to the region.

Previously, on August 8, Defense Secretary Austin had a phone call with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant, discussing the country's steps in the Middle East to protect its allies.

Speaking on social network X, US Defense Secretary Austin stressed the importance of reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza to release the hostages. In addition, he also said that Washington's deployment of F-22 Raptor aircraft to the region is part of an effort to protect Israel and US forces in the region.

On the same day, a senior US official warned that Iran would face serious consequences if it attacked Israel, saying that this escalation of tensions would be a threat to hopes for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The situation in the Middle East is becoming more tense than ever after two assassinations, just hours apart, targeting two senior officials of the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip and the Hezbollah force in Lebanon. Hamas confirmed that its political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an attack in the early morning of July 31 in the capital Tehran, after attending the inauguration of the new Iranian president. Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced that Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah's top military commander and the right-hand man of leader Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut, Lebanon, on the night of July 30. Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran have vowed to retaliate, raising fears of a larger conflict in the region.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared: "It is our duty to take revenge." He ordered Iranian forces to carry out a direct attack on Israel. At the same time, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said the group would respond to the killing of its senior commander, saying that the incident, along with the assassination of Hamas' political leader, crossed a "red line."

Meanwhile, sources said Iran could attack before ceasefire and hostage exchange talks scheduled for August 15.

The Israeli military has stepped up military patrols and deployed additional forces in recent days, especially in sensitive areas that could be targeted by missiles and drones. Ambulance services have urged residents to donate thousands of units of blood, which could be used in case of mass casualties. Buildings have been told to sanitize bomb shelters. The Israeli government has considered opening a special bunker in Jerusalem, built after the end of the 2006 war with Lebanon, for senior leaders in case of a large-scale missile attack from outside.

Underground hospitals in Tel Aviv and Haifa have also completed preparations to receive patients. “The underground hospital is intended to serve patients who cannot move in case of a missile alert,” said Steve Watz, head of external affairs at Israel’s largest hospital, Sheba Hospital. “Our underground hospital is ready to operate with 2,000 beds, with the necessary doctors, nurses and equipment.”