Amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the U.S. military has announced the deployment of a guided missile submarine to the Middle East. This rare action is primarily directed at regional adversaries, particularly those with backing from Iran. The submarines in question have the capability to carry advanced ballistic or Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The U.S. Central Command has confirmed on social media that an Ohio-class submarine entered its area of responsibility. This development occurred while Secretary of State Antony Blinken was on a regional tour, which included visits to Israel, the West Bank, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, and Cyprus. This marks Blinken's second trip to the region since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Ohio-class submarines are a class of nuclear-powered vessels designed to accommodate as many as 24 Trident II D5 nuclear missiles. These submarines are distinguished by their exceptional stealth and their capacity to operate silently beneath the ocean's surface, making them extremely difficult to detect by potential adversaries.

The United States typically refrains from publicly disclosing the movements of its strategic assets, such as submarines. American nuclear submarines, in particular, are known for their operations conducted in a veil of secrecy.

However, this recent action may serve as a deliberate signal from the U.S. to Iranian proxies operating in the region. These proxies have recently conveyed threats of escalating the conflict in the area if Israel does not cease its ongoing offensive in Gaza.

The United States has already experienced minor attacks on its assets situated in Iraq and Syria. Evidently, Washington, D.C. shows no inclination to permit Iranian proxies to influence the ongoing conflict.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had previously announced the reinforcement of security assets in the Middle East, including Israel. On Sunday, Austin reiterated the U.S. commitment to deterring any entity, whether a nation or a non-state actor, that seeks to escalate the conflict. This statement was a clear allusion to Iran and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group.

The United States has positioned several naval assets in the region, comprising two carrier strike groups—the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group and the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group—along with an amphibious ready group.

The recently deployed submarine will enhance the United States' defensive capabilities in the region. Back in October 2022, the U.S. revealed the presence of a ballistic missile submarine in the Middle East when General Michael Erik Kurilla, the commander of U.S. Central Command, visited the USS West Virginia. The visit took place at an undisclosed location in international waters, as reported by Central Command at the time.

Image source: Arab News