U.S. Repositions Naval Forces Amid Escalating Iran-Israel Tensions
US deploys destroyers to Eastern Mediterranean amid Iran-Israel tensions. USS Hudner moved for missile defense as White House weighs options following Iranian retaliation to Israeli strikes.
Erbil (Kurdistan24) – In a significant military maneuver following Iran’s retaliation for recent Israeli strikes, the United States has begun repositioning its naval assets in the Eastern Mediterranean, signaling heightened alert and readiness in the region.
USS Thomas Hudner Redirected Toward Eastern Mediterranean
Two U.S. officials told the Associated Press on Friday that the U.S. Navy has ordered the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Thomas Hudner to move toward the Eastern Mediterranean. A second destroyer has also been instructed to begin forward movement to ensure availability should the White House request additional military options.
The USS Hudner is equipped with advanced missile defense systems and is capable of intercepting ballistic threats, positioning it as a key asset amid growing regional instability.
White House on High Alert
According to AP, this development came as President Donald Trump convenes a meeting with his National Security Council principals to evaluate the evolving security landscape. The two officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information, noted that the repositioning of forces reflects proactive contingency planning rather than immediate engagement orders.
Strategic Response to Iranian Retaliation
The U.S. military’s renewed posture follows Iran’s retaliatory actions against Israel, which came in response to Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear targets earlier this week. The latest U.S. deployments echo a similar response from October 1, 2024, when U.S. Navy destroyers fired a dozen interceptor missiles to protect Israel from a barrage of more than 200 Iranian projectiles.
Washington’s current moves underscore the gravity of the regional situation and highlight the U.S. commitment to defending its allies while deterring further escalation. The Pentagon has not issued a public statement on the scope of the current repositioning.
