Pentagon Re-positions Forces After Israeli Strikes on Iran

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Pentagon Re-positions Forces After Israeli Strikes on Iran/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The US is repositioning Navy destroyers and forces in the Middle East following Israel’s strikes on Iran. The USS Thomas Hudner is moving to the Eastern Mediterranean, anticipating possible Iranian retaliation. With up to 43,000 troops in the region, the Pentagon is bracing for further escalation.

A view of Jerusalem’s Old City, with the Dome of the Rock shrine in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, closed to worshippers after Israel’s Homefront Command banned public gatherings following an Israeli military strike on Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

US Moves Forces After Israeli Strikes: Quick Looks

Destroyers deployed: USS Thomas Hudner en route to Eastern Mediterranean; second ship on standby.
White House alert: Trump meets National Security Council amid threat of Iranian response.
Troop levels surge: From 30,000 to 43,000 U.S. personnel now positioned in the region.
Precautionary moves: Military families depart regional bases in advance of wider escalation.

FILE – Water droplets from rain and melting snow gather on the shoulder of a crew member of the the future USS Thomas Hudner, a U.S. Navy destroyer named after Korean War veteran Thomas Hudner, during the ship’s christening ceremony at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, April 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm, File)

Deep Look

U.S. Reacts to Escalating Israel-Iran Conflict

In the wake of Israel’s massive Operation Rising Lion, which targeted top Iranian military and nuclear leaders, the U.S. Department of Defense has begun repositioning military assets in the Middle East. The Pentagon confirmed Friday that it is preparing for a possible Iranian retaliatory strike following the Israeli action.

Destroyer Deployment to Eastern Mediterranean

The Navy destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, part of the Arleigh Burke-class and capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, has been ordered to sail toward the Eastern Mediterranean. A second, unnamed destroyer is also being prepared for forward positioning, allowing immediate deployment if the White House requests it.

This move aligns with President Donald Trump’s urgent consultations with National Security Council principals. While no formal engagement has been confirmed, the Pentagon’s force posture suggests preparation for rapid escalation scenarios in the volatile region.

Defense Strategy and Precautionary Measures

The U.S. has already taken several preemptive steps. Military dependents were offered voluntary evacuations from key regional bases earlier this week as the likelihood of Israeli strikes—and thus Iranian reprisal—became imminent. These actions underscore the seriousness with which the Pentagon views the evolving security threats.

Troop Presence and Regional Impact

Ordinarily, the U.S. maintains about 30,000 troops in the Middle East. That number has risen to 43,000 since October 2024, reflecting intensifying military operations and instability from multiple fronts—including Houthi-led attacks in the Red Sea and drone threats from Iranian-aligned militias.

This troop surge follows previous U.S. military involvement, notably on October 1, 2024, when Navy destroyers fired interceptors to defend Israel against a barrage of more than 200 Iranian missiles. That experience now informs current defensive planning, with the Navy actively posturing itself to respond swiftly to similar threats.