US redirects aircraft carrier closer to Israel, deploys aerial refueling tankers

The United States has redirected an aircraft carrier from the South China Sea to the Middle East and has also deployed several aerial refueling tankers to Europe, US officials told Al Arabiya English on Monday amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

Washington has consistently emphasized that it is not participating in Israeli strikes against Iran; however, it has acknowledged its ongoing efforts to help defend against Iranian ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israel. “Hundreds of thousands of Americans live in Israel, and there are US military assets in Israel we need to protect,” a US official told Al Arabiya English.

US President Donald Trump has called for a deal between Israel and Iran to end the most intense fighting between the two countries, reiterating that the US is not involved in the Israeli attacks on Iran, but “it’s possible we could get involved.”

On Sunday, the US Embassy in Israel ordered diplomats and family members to shelter in place until further notice and said the embassy and consulates would be closed on Monday. “The US Embassy is not in a position at this time to evacuate or directly assist Americans in departing Israel,” the State Department said. On Monday, the State Department updated its Travel Advisory for Israel, West Bank, and Gaza to “Do Not Travel” after authorizing the departure of family members and some non-emergency US government personnel.

Separately, the US Northern Command (NORTHCOM) has directed additional security measures at all military installations in the continental United States and Alaska due to “world events.”