US sends Patriot missile batteries to Saudi Arabia, Qatar to protect oil, gas facilities - report
According to the report, the US wanted to reassure the countries that their key energy facilities would be protected in case major combat operations resume within the region.
The US military has deployed two additional Patriot missile batteries to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, according to a Friday report by Axios. The deployment aims to protect the countries' vital oil and gas facilities, cited as a concern following recent Iranian threats. In August, concerns over Iranian strikes played a significant role in President Donald Trump's decision to avoid military action and pursue economic pressure, according to Axios.
The US requires Saudi Arabia's permission to utilize its airspace for potential combat operations, as per Axios' sources. Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran if it fails to reach an agreement with the US, stating on Thursday that he had to choose between Iran signing the deal or its complete dissolution. The military presence in the Middle East is expanding, with the deployment of a third aircraft carrier and an additional Marine division, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt and a further Marine division are currently en route to the region for a prolonged deployment, with the Roosevelt departing from San Francisco on Sunday. The USS Boxer amphibious ready group is stationed in the Arabian Sea, accompanied by the USS Portland and USS Comstock.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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