US Defense Secretary: We will not tolerate attacks on our forces in the Middle East

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pledged "zero tolerance for attacks" on US forces the day after 5 US service members and two contractors were injured in a rocket attack on the "Ain al-Assad" base in Iraq. Austin said, in a press conference with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and his Australian counterparts, Defense Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong: "Many individuals were injured in a rocket attack on the Ain al-Assad air base in western Iraq, so make no mistake: the United States will not tolerate attacks on our personnel in the region. We have adjusted our military posture to enhance the protection of our forces, enhance our strong commitment to defending Israel and remain ready to respond to any emergency." He stressed the changes he ordered to the force posture last week, including the deployment of the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln to replace the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt and the deployment of a fighter squadron. 'These posture changes add to our already bro ad range of capabilities in the region and we remain prepared to deploy at short notice to address threats,' he said. The Middle East is tense and anticipating a possible Iranian response after the killing of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh last week in Tehran. Iran has accused Israel of involvement in the incident, while Israel has not commented, amid warnings by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that anyone who attacks Israel will pay a 'heavy price. Source: National Iraqi News Agency