The US is increasing its military forces in the Middle East by deploying the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli to reinforce its presence after President Donald Trump announced plans for heavy attacks on Iran in the coming days.
The United States has sent additional military forces to the Middle East, including the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, amid a war with Iran entering its third week, while the US leader has announced plans to intensify attack operations.
US President Donald Trump told Fox News on Friday (13 Mar) that US forces will carry out heavy attacks on Iranian targets within the next week, reflecting an escalation of joint operations between the US and Israel in the latest Middle East conflict.
The conflict began on 28 February when the US and Israel launched air strikes against Iran, resulting in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and leading to broader regional tensions.
US and Israel have struck over 15,000 targets.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth revealed that since the start of the attacks on 28 February, US and Israeli forces have targeted more than 15,000 enemy positions, averaging over 1,000 targets daily.
He also stated that these attacks have significantly reduced Iran's retaliatory capabilities, with missile launches down by about 90% and drone attacks decreasing by approximately 95%.
Meanwhile, Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father, was injured in the 28 February attack; US officials claim he was seriously wounded, though Iranian sources confirm only that he was injured without providing further details.
Iran has declared it will continue to pressure maritime navigation along the strategic route and has warned that the conflict could escalate further if attacks on Iran persist.
The prolonged war in the Middle East has raised concerns that it could evolve into a full-scale regional conflict, continuing to impact global oil prices, energy security, and the world economy going forward.
Source:channelnewsasia
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