Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced on Friday that the U.S. military will adjust its posture in the Middle East following a strike in Iran that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. 

The Pentagon said it will move a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and continue to maintain its aircraft carrier in the region.

Additionally, fulfilling a promise to Israel, President Biden ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the region.

“To maintain a carrier strike group presence in the region, the Secretary has ordered the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group to replace the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Carrier Strike Group, currently on deployment in the Central Command area of responsibility,” the Pentagon’s release stated.

“These posture adjustments add to the broad range of capabilities the U.S. military maintains in the region, including the USS WASP Amphibious Ready Group / Marine Expeditionary Unit (ARG/MEU) operating in the Eastern Mediterranean,” the release continued.

This move to bolster defenses in the Middle East comes after the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Iran on Wednesday. Senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur was also killed in Beirut the day before.

The Pentagon’s release did not specify the exact location of the fighter jet squadron or the aircraft carrier in the Middle East.

The release concluded, “The United States also remains intently focused on de-escalating tensions in the region and pushing for a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal to bring the hostages home and end the war in Gaza.”