US Defense Secretary Mark Esper has said that we have increased force “protection postures” in the Middle East in view of Iran’s aggressive stance.
The commander of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards was killed on Friday in a US drone strike, which was authorised by President Donald Trump. Esper said he has spoken to commanders on the ground to ensure they have the resources needed to protect their people and prepare for any contingencies.
He said that “as a result we have increased our force protection postures across the region and then we will continue to reposition and bolster our forces as necessary to protect our people, our interest and our facilities”.
During a Pentagon news conference, Esper asserted that the US has received widespread support for its actions from allies and partners in the region.
“We will continue to work with them to protect American gains against the ISIS,” he said.
The US remains committed to its strategic priorities in the Middle East such as deterring Iranian bad behavior and sustaining the enduring defeat of the ISIS, the defense secretary said.
“The architects of terror should know that we will not tolerate attacks against America’s people and interest and will exercise our right to self-defense should that become necessary once again,” Esper said.
US increases force “protection postures” in Middle East in view of Iran’s aggressive stance : Esper
