Amid fears of a major new conflict with Iran, the United States has deployed two additional Patriot missile defense batteries to protect critical energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Two US officials and one regional official confirmed that these batteries were sent over the past few weeks, according to a report by Axios.
US officials state that this move is intended to reassure the two allies that the US will stand by them to protect vital oil and gas facilities should President Donald Trump launch a major new military operation against Iran.
On Thursday, Trump also spoke about the possibility of a new attack on Iran, stating that a decision could be reached within the next few weeks. In his words, “I have to decide now whether Iran will sign the deal or if the country will cease to exist.”
Last August, the Trump administration was considering a major attack targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure. At that time, leaders from Saudi Arabia and Qatar urged Trump against the strike, fearing that Iran might retaliate by targeting their oil and gas facilities.
US officials noted that this concern played a significant role in Trump’s decision-making; ultimately, Washington opted to increase economic pressure on Iran rather than launch a military strike.
Last month, a Patriot battery was deployed to Saudi Arabia to protect a key oil facility, while another was sent to Qatar to safeguard a major natural gas installation.
Should a new military campaign against Iran be launched, the US might need to utilize Saudi airspace. However, US officials indicated that Riyadh might be reluctant to grant such permission unless the security of its energy infrastructure is guaranteed.
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Captain Bill Urban, a spokesperson for US Central Command (CENTCOM), declined to comment on the matter. Demand for Patriot batteries and their missiles has surged since tensions with Iran escalated. To bolster defense capabilities in the Middle East, the United States is redeploying Patriot batteries and interceptors from other regional commands, raising concerns about readiness levels in those other areas.
Simultaneously, the US is deploying additional warships, fighter jets, and troops to the Middle East. On Sunday, the carrier strike group led by the USS Theodore Roosevelt quietly departed from San Diego; it is expected to arrive in the Middle East by mid-November.
It may join the USS George H.W. Bush, already stationed there, and the USS George Washington, which is being deployed from Japan. This could result in the simultaneous presence of three US carrier strike groups in the Middle East. However, it remains unclear whether the Roosevelt will replace an existing carrier or serve as an additional force.
Meanwhile, the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group also set sail for the Middle East on Monday. Comprising three amphibious ships and thousands of Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, this flotilla is expected to reach the region by late November.
Consequently, the US military presence in the Middle East surrounding Iran is set to expand further.
