US forces race as Iran attack looms

The US shored up naval and air forces in the Middle East to help Israel fend off any major attack from Iran, ahead of a resumption of Gaza ceasefire talks planned for this week.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, after a call with Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant on Sunday, ordered the urgent deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group, equipped with F-35C fighters, and the USS Georgia guided-missile submarine to the region.

The move bolsters the defenses of Israel, which has been braced for an assault from Iran or its allied proxy militia groups since back-to-back assassinations of senior Hezbollah and Hamas officials in Beirut and Tehran almost two weeks ago. Gallant told Austin Iran's preparations suggest it is getting ready for a large-scale attack.

Iran's acting foreign minister, Ali Bagheri Kani, reiterated the country's determination to punish Israel for the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in particular, and Washington is keen to avoid a major flare up three months before a presidential election.

The United States, Qatar and Egypt last week called for a new round of Gaza ceasefire talks this Thursday, an effort to resolve long-deadlocked negotiations between Israel and Hamas more than 10 months into their war. Hamas has pushed back against the proposal, saying discussions should center on implementing previous plans.

Austin and Gallant discussed "efforts to deter aggression by Iran, Hezbollah, and other Iran-aligned groups across the region" and progress toward securing a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in Gaza.

Gallant's office played up the "inter-operability" of Israeli and US military systems, indicating the allies would fight as a united front.

BLOOMBERG, REUTERS