US boosts Central Command with fresh deliveries of F-16s in ‘ironclad’ commitment to defend Israel

US F-16 fighter jets have been deployed to the Middle East, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Friday, displaying an “ironclad battleship”. favor of Israel as tensions rise with Iran.

CENTCOM did not specify how many F-16s were sent to the “area of ​​responsibility,” but said they were deployed from the 480th Fighter Squadron, based at Spangdal Air Base in Germany.

When asked by reporters if this move indicates that Jerusalem is preparing to launch promised a retaliatory attack on Iran on the 180-missile strike it launched against Israel earlier this month, White House National Security Council communications director John Kirby said he could not elaborate on the matter.

Four F-16s from the 120th FS Buckley fly over Empower Field at Mile High in Denver before the game between the Denver Broncos and the Washington Commanders on September 17, 2023. (Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

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“Our commitment to Israel’s security remains unwavering,” he said. “And that means, where appropriate, making changes to the force posture that we believe are necessary to help Israel defend itself.”

The United States, which has been ramping up its regional defenses for months, has played a critical role in protecting Israel from two major missile attacks, the first in April when about 300 rockets and drones were fired, and the second earlier this year. month.

According to A reports Bloomberg The US also signaled to Saudi Arabia on Friday that it would help defend the kingdom if it was attacked by Iran, once its main rival in the region, or its proxies.

The pledge is said to have served as some comfort to the US partner, as many Gulf states remain on high alert amid fears of a regional war.

A map showing the positions of US Navy assets in the Middle East. (Fox News)

The international community has watched with dismay as Israel struggles against Iran’s proxy forces, Hamas and Hezbollah, while the US and other regional partners try to de-escalate the situation to prevent it from escalating into an all-out war between Israel and Iran, both of which have complex military capabilities.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who has been in the Middle East this week before traveling to London on Thursday, met on Friday with United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss efforts to ending the war in Gaza and securing the release of hostages held by Hamas for more than a year.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Blinken and his UAE counterpart also discussed the “post-conflict period” and what “a vision of governance, security and reconstruction that establishes lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians” might look like.

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President Biden (R) speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on July 25. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, file)

While the Biden administration stands firm on the two-state solution, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the idea, which has long been promoted by many in the international community.

But the war in Gaza was not the only topic of discussion with the main regional ally. The pair also drew attention to Israel’s operations in Lebanon in its bid to eradicate the threat posed by Hezbollah there.

“The secretary emphasized the importance of a diplomatic solution that fully implements UN Security Council Resolution 1701,” Miller said, though he did not elaborate on how the U.S. and its allies would look at securing Hezbollah, which has become part of the daily lives of many Lebanese. will be destroyed.

While Blinken also spoke with interim Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Friday, their discussions appeared to focus on the humanitarian toll of Israeli operations, including rising civilian casualties.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken works in his office on board the plane that is taking him from Doha, Qatar, to London on Thursday. (Reuters/Nathan Howard/Pool)

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“He emphasized that Iran and Hezbollah must not stand in the way of Lebanon’s security and stability,” Miller said. “He also expressed his support for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon and stressed that the safety of its personnel is of paramount importance.”

“They discussed the vacancy of the Lebanese president and the need to expand the powers of the leadership that reflects the will of the people,” he added. Blinken also met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.