America has sent another warship and a Patriot missile-defence system to the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran.
Amphibious transport ship the USS Arlington – with amphibious vehicles and helicopters on board – will join a strike force led by aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
And B-52 bombers have arrived at a base in Qatar, the Pentagon said yesterday.
The US says the Gulf deployments are in response to “heightened Iranian readiness to conduct offensive operations”.
The Pentagon added that Washington was “ready to defend US forces and interests in the region” but did not seek conflict.
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About 5,200 US troops are deployed in neighbouring Iraq. The USS Arlington is sailing in the Red Sea after passing through the Suez Canal on Thursday.
The Patriot missile system is a defence mechanism against aircraft, drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.
Iran has described the deployments as “psychological warfare” aimed at intimidating the country.
And a senior Iranian cleric has reportedly claimed the US fleet could be “destroyed with one missile”.
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Last year, US President Donald Trump withdrew from a landmark nuclear deal which America and other nations had agreed with Tehran in 2015.
Under it, Iran had agreed to limit its nuclear activities and allow international inspections in return for sanctions relief.
The White House has ended exemptions from sanctions for five countries – China, India, Japan, South Korea and Turkey – that were still buying Iranian oil.
The tough sanctions have plunged Iran’s currency to record lows, driven away foreign investors, triggered widespread protests and sent inflation soaring.
Mr Trump hopes to force Iranian president Hassan Rouhani to strike a new deal covering its nuclear and missile programme.
