US military buildup influences Iranian calculations, Pentagon states

The Pentagon reported on August 22 that the deployment of additional US military assets closer to Iran has significantly impacted Tehran’s strategic considerations.

"The presence of these assets has clearly entered Iran's calculations and may influence their decisions on how, or whether, to respond," Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated in a conversation with foreign media, as per Caliber.Az.

Singh detailed that the US has positioned two carrier strike groups in the region, each with four destroyers, as part of a strategic deterrent. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expedited the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area, which arrived on August 21 night. The aircraft carrier’s transit was accelerated following Austin's directive.

The Pentagon’s bolstered military presence is intended as a strong deterrent and a show of support for Israel. This buildup follows Iran and Hezbollah's threats of retaliation against Israel for recent assassinations in Beirut and Tehran. However, as of Thursday night, a response from Iran and Hezbollah remains pending, with both entities reportedly engaging in psychological warfare by leaving their adversaries in anticipation.

Additional US reinforcements include thousands of troops, ballistic missile defence systems, a nuclear-powered submarine, and the USS Wasp. US officials had initially anticipated a swift Iranian response following the July 30th killings of key figures Ismail Haniyeh and Fuad Shukr, but the timing has been repeatedly adjusted.

Current assessments suggest that Iran and Hezbollah could still launch retaliatory actions within 12-24 hours of making their decision. While Hezbollah is expected to respond to Shukr's killing, recent reports indicate they might avoid a large-scale missile attack on Tel Aviv.