US sends guided missile submarine to Middle East amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has directed the deployment of a guided missile submarine to the Middle East in response to concerns of potential retaliation from Iran following the recent assassinations of senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah. This move comes after a telephone call between Austin and Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Galant. The deployment is part of a broader effort to prepare for a potential wider regional conflict, with the US also planning to deploy additional fighter jets and navy warships to the region. The USS Georgia, a guided missile submarine, was already in the Mediterranean Sea in July, but its deployment was publicly announced, indicating a rare move by the Pentagon.