U.S. to send more warships, fighter jets to Middle East to bolster defenses

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had approved sending additional Navy cruisers and destroyers-- which can shoot down ballistic missiles-- to the Middle East and Europe. It is also sending an additional squadron of fighter jets to the Middle East. There had been speculation that the Pentagon might not replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group in the Middle East once it completed its ongoing deployment. The U.S. military also intensified deployments prior to April 13, when Iran launched an attack on Israeli territory with drones and missiles. Iran and Hamas have both accused Israel of carrying out the killing and have pledged to retaliate against their foe.