Reuters: US deploys additional warship to Middle East

The United States has deployed an additional Navy warship to the Middle East as tensions continue to rise across the region, a US official told Reuters on January 28.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black entered the region within the past 48 hours. The deployment increases the number of US destroyers operating in the Middle East to six. The US naval presence in the area also includes one aircraft carrier and three littoral combat ships.

CBS News was the first to report the arrival of the additional warship.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier described the military buildup as primarily defensive, citing concerns that tens of thousands of American troops stationed in the region are within range of Iranian drones and ballistic missiles. However, Rubio said US forces retain the capability to carry out preemptive strikes if required.

The expanded military presence comes amid heightened regional instability and growing concerns over potential escalation involving Iran and its allies.

By Sabina Mammadli