Iranian readiness and Israeli alert.. USS Lincoln enters the Middle East

The US military announced today, Monday, that the aircraft carrier "USS Abraham Lincoln" and its group have arrived in the Middle East, significantly enhancing its firepower in the region amid escalating tensions with Iran. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on the "X" platform that the aircraft carrier Lincoln and its strike group are "currently deployed in the Middle East to enhance regional security and stability."

For its part, the American newspaper "Wall Street Journal" quoted an American defense source and official data that the United States deployed F-15E fighter jets to a base in Jordan, while moving "Patriot" and "THAAD" air defense systems to the region to enhance the protection of American facilities and its allies from any potential counterattacks from Iran. The American official indicated that some equipment has already arrived, and more is expected within one to two weeks.

In this context, sources in Washington explained that this carrier includes various types of "F-16" and "F-15" aircraft, in addition to three destroyers that entered the Middle East operational area from the South China Sea about five days ago and have moved towards the Central Command's operational area in the Red and Mediterranean Seas.

Sources explained that this situation, according to observers, gives President Donald Trump wider options in dealing with Iran, as the lack of sufficient military assets in the region was one of the reasons that led the president to delay a strike on Iran. However, sources said that Trump, according to observers, sent the equipment but wants to give himself room to negotiate with the Iranians, pointing to ongoing negotiations, at least with Russia, in an attempt to impose something on the Iranians under the threat of battleships, and if these negotiations fail, Trump may resort to the second option.

Iranian readiness for all scenarios

In Iran, sources quoted Iran's permanent representative to international organizations, Ali Bahreini, as saying that Tehran is ready for all scenarios, as the policies of the current US administration cannot be predicted. He stressed that his country's military readiness has returned to what it was before the 12-day war, adding that his country has increased its capabilities in terms of its defense systems. The Iranian Ministry of Defense also confirmed this morning, Monday, that Tehran is today in full readiness and preparedness on the defensive front.

Alert in Israel

In Israel, sources in Jerusalem reported that the Israeli home front has raised its alert level to the maximum in recent weeks by deploying Iron Dome batteries and other military assets. He pointed out that the alert status has also moved to the civilian level, as Israeli authorities issued instructions to the education sector on the need to prepare for the possibility of transitioning to an emergency situation, and this applied to the health sector, hospitals, ambulance crews, civil defense, and firefighting. However, he noted at the same time that these preparations do not indicate a zero hour or an Israeli belief that an American attack on Iran is imminent, at least in the next few hours.

UAE refuses to allow its territory to be used

In addition, the UAE affirmed that it will not allow any attacks on Iran from its territory. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that "the United Arab Emirates is committed to not allowing its airspace, territory, or waters to be used for any hostile military actions against Iran, and to not provide any logistical support in this regard." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed "the UAE's belief that enhancing dialogue, de-escalation, adherence to international laws, and respect for the sovereignty of states represent the optimal foundations for addressing current crises." The UAE hosts thousands of American soldiers at Al Dhafra Air Base near the capital Abu Dhabi, which is one of several American military sites in the Gulf.