The Acting Defense Secretary of United States (U.S.) – Patrick Shanahan has said that U.S. will send 1,000 additional U.S. forces and military resources to Middle East, amidst the rising tension between Iran and U.S.
Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, is sending additional troops as it wants to ensure the safety of the U.S. personnel who are working throughout the region. The Pentagon will also closely monitor the situation in the region. The deployment of forces will include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft and missile defense for force protection.
Announcing the additional deployment of forces, Patrick Shanahan said, “In response to a request from the US Central Command for additional forces, and with the advice of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and in consultation with the White House, I have authorized approximately 1,000 additional troops for defensive purposes to address air, naval, and ground-based threats in the Middle East.”
He further added, “The recent Iranian attacks validate the reliable, credible intelligence we have received on hostile behaviour by Iranian forces and their proxy groups that threaten United States personnel and interests across the region.”
Prior to this, Pentagon released a set of phots which showed Iranian boats removing a mine from one of the tankers which was attacked in the Gulf of Oman on June 13, 2019. The U.S. has blamed Iran for the attack. However, Iran has outrightly denied the charges, accusing U.S. of conspiring against them.
The announcement also gains significance as the U.S. Secretary of States – Mike Pompeo is travelling to Command Center today, i.e., Tuesday, June 18, 2019, that oversees Middle East military operations. Pompeo will meet with Commander of Command Center – Gen. Kenneth McKenzie and the Head of Special Operations Command – Gen. Richard Clarke, and discuss the security measures taken by U.S. A day before, Mike Pompeo said that U.S. is also considering military action against Iran.
In the meantime, the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) has announced yesterday, i.e., Monday, June 17, 2019, that Iran plans to quadruple the production of low-level enriched uranium and will reach the maximum permissible limit of 300 kgs. of the stockpile allowed under the nuclear deal, in 10 days.
Owing to the rising tension, the United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General – António Guterres also urged U.S. and Iran to refrain from any such action that can disrupt regional peace. The Foreign Policy Chief of European Union (E.U.) – Federica Mogherini has said that she will travel to Washington for ensuring peace in the region.
