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Middle East conflict

US increases presence in Middle East by deploying additional jets, warships

"What I've been focused on is making sure that we're doing everything we can to put measures in place to protect our troops," US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said

WASHINGTON, August 7. /TASS/. The US administration is increasing its military presence in the Middle East by deploying additional fighter jets and destroyers, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said following US-Australian talks.

According to him, the Pentagon will deploy additional fighter jets and Navy warships to the Middle East as Washington seeks to bolster defenses in the region.

"What I've been focused on is making sure that we're doing everything we can to put measures in place to protect our troops and also make sure that we're in a good position to aid in the defense of Israel, if called upon to do that," Austin said.

Speaking of a rocket attack on Al-Asad airbase in western Iraq used by coalition troops when several US personnel were injured, he asserted that the US "will not tolerate" attacks on its servicemen in the region.

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Alexander Stepanov pointed out that "this also applies to intermediate-range high-precision systems such as the Tomahawk and other weapons that NATO countries may provide to Ukraine"

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Case against Ukrainian militants, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

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NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

Ukraine’s military fires 65 munitions at Russia’s borderline Belgorod Region over day

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Georgia suspends consultations on launch of EU accession talks until 2028

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Russia launches 100 missiles at Ukraine in past two days — Putin

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