The United States is preparing to send additional combat aircraft to the Middle East in response to threats from Iran and its proxies in Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen to attack Israel in the coming days to avenge the death of Ismail Haniyeh this week, American officials said on Friday.
How many planes to send is still being worked out, as are final approvals from senior officials including Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III.
Officials said they were seeking to calibrate the American response to send enough of the right types of aircraft as quickly as possible to help defend Israel without appearing to escalate the conflict.
Iran fired more than 300 drones and missiles against Israel in a major attack in April, but only a handful got through, causing only slight damage.
U.S. Air Force jets based in Jordan and in Saudi Arabia coordinated with French, Jordanian and British Air Force fighters to shoot down more than 80 drones.
Persons:
Israel, Ismail Haniyeh, Lloyd J, Austin III
Organizations:
U.S, Defense, U.S . Air Force, French, British Air Force
Locations:
States, Iran, Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Israel, U.S, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Jordanian