Pentagon to move a third destroyer near Israel following attack on Iran
The Pentagon is awaiting White House guidance pending a scheduled meeting between Donald Trump and top advisers.
WASHINGTON — The US Navy's Sixth Fleet is moving an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer closer toward Israel following multiple waves of complex and lethal attacks launched by the Israeli military across Iran on Friday, a US official confirmed to Al-Monitor.
The decision to pre-position the USS Thomas Hudner, currently operating in the western Mediterranean, comes as a precaution, with the Pentagon awaiting guidance from the White House before ordering any major force posture changes in the Middle East, the official said.
The move will bring the warship closer to two other destroyers already in the eastern Mediterranean: the USS Sullivans and the USS Arleigh Burke. The vessels have ballistic missile interception capabilities.
An additional destroyer has also been readied to move into the region in case it is needed for support, a second official said, without specifying further.
