US Army
Jordan official to NYT: US military presence tied to defense agreements
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The New York Times quoted Jordanian officials as saying that the US military presence in the Kingdom comes within the framework of defense agreements between the United States and Jordan.
The newspaper cited a Jordanian official as confirming that Jordan will not allow its territory to be used to launch an attack on Iran.
He added that Jordan hopes the current negotiations between the United States and Iran will lead to a political agreement that spares the region from war.
The newspaper also reported that other countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have supported negotiations to avoid war and reach a diplomatic solution, affirming that they do not want their territories to be used as a launch point for any military action against Tehran.
The New York Times reported Friday that the US military has significantly reinforced its presence in the Middle East amid potential escalation with Iran. The report referenced Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, an increase in US logistics aircraft beyond usual levels, as the newspaper described it, along with fighter jets and new air defense systems to enhance protection.
The newspaper said the US movement in the region includes the transfer of additional air defense batteries to protect American forces from any potential Iranian response.
It also pointed to previous repositioning at bases such as Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and the US naval support activity in Bahrain as part of a broader redeployment of American forces in preparation for any potential developments.
In a second report, the newspaper said US Central Command is keeping two aircraft carriers deployed in the Middle East at a considerable distance from Iran to protect them from becoming targets.
Officials noted that hitting a fast-moving aircraft carrier with a ballistic missile is difficult. Destroyers accompany the carriers and have the capability to intercept ballistic missiles.
The report added that Pentagon officials confirmed the evacuation of hundreds of troops from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and from the US base complex in Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet. American forces are also deployed at bases in Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
