WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The U.S. is sending a guided missile submarine to the Middle East, as officials worry tensions could boil over and lead to attacks Iranian attacks against Israel.
“We obviously don’t want to see any kind of, attack or response happen in the first place,” State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said.
The White House and Israel warn it could happen this week. It comes after Israel killed senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah and an Israeli airstrike killed more than 80 people at a school in Gaza.
“We have been clear, both to our partners in Israel, that, every possible effort needs to be taken to minimize the impact of, civilian casualties,” Patel said.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made the order to dispatch the submarine to offer additional protections to Israel. U.S officials said they must be prepared for a significant set of attacks.
“We are committed to helping Israel defend itself,” Patel said.
The State Department and the White House says the U.S. and its allies are still focused on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
“And ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions and reach a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
A new round of negotiations are scheduled for Thursday.
“It is, in our view, time for Hamas to release the hostages, which, as you all know, include American citizens and bring relief, to the people of Gaza,” Patel said.
The U.S. is encouraging its allies to come to Israel’s aid if an attack from Iran emerges.
