Live Update arrow right icon From the Liveblog of Monday, June 16, 2025

US deploying more defensive capabilities to Middle East, says defense secretary

By Reuters 17 June 2025, 12:59 am 1 Edit
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers a speech at the US cemetery to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings, June 6, 2025 in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy. (AP/Thomas Padilla)
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers a speech at the US cemetery to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings, June 6, 2025 in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy. (AP/Thomas Padilla)

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says he has ordered the deployment of additional defensive capabilities to the Middle East, as the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran drives regional tensions higher.

Hegseth did not disclose what military capabilities he sent to the region. But Reuters was the first to report earlier today a deployment of a large number of US military refueling aircraft and the movement of an aircraft carrier to the Middle East.

“Protecting US forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in the region,” Hegseth says in a post on social media platform X.

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