news

According to the New York Times, as tensions continue to escalate, the United States has decided to send more fighter jets to the Middle East to counter a possible large-scale attack on Israel by Iran and its proxies. The decision was made after the assassination of Hamas leader Haniyeh, although the scale and timeline of the specific operation have not yet been determined. Their goal is to send enough aircraft of the right type as quickly as possible to help defend Israel while avoiding further escalation of the conflict.

Austin stressed that further escalation is not inevitable, that all countries in the region will benefit from reduced tensions, and that the United States will support Israel against imminent threats from regional adversaries.

This brings up a question: Why does the United States send a large number of fighter jets to the Middle East to defend against attacks from Iran? Because the United States characterizes this retaliatory attack on Iran as a show, and sending fighter jets to intercept the cheap long-range drones launched by Iran is the most cost-effective.

Back in April, weapons from the United States and its allies played a major role in ensuring what the IDF said was the destruction of 99 percent of air threats, with the U.S. Air Force's F-15Es shooting down more than 70 drones. In fact, the infrared combat missiles equipped on fighter jets can also be used to intercept subsonic and supersonic cruise missiles, which is more cost-effective thanAnti-aircraft missilesMuch higher.

In addition to beefing up the presence of U.S. fighter jets in the region, the Pentagon has assembled more than a dozen warships in the Middle East, including the Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group. The six Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers among these ships have proven effective against missiles and drones fired by the Houthis, and even ballistic missiles from Iran. During Iran's April attack on Israel, the U.S. military shot down an Iranian ballistic missile with a Standard Missile-3 anti-missile interceptor, marking the first use of these weapons in combat. Of course, the cost is heartbreaking, as the procurement cost of a Standard Missile-3 is more than $10 million, while an Iranian ballistic missile does not exceed $200,000.

Although the Pentagon is preparing for a major Iranian-led operation against Israel, time may not be on its side. It takes a long time for the US military to deploy a large number of fighter jets to the Middle East, while Iran and its proxies can organize a long-range strike much faster. Now, it is not known what kind of deal Iran and the United States will make in private, and the outside world believes that neither side is willing to have a major war in the Middle East.

We should note that Israel is willing to drag the United States into the Middle East war to increase its long-term winning chips, but the United States is using all means to avoid the spillover and escalation of the war because of the need for strategic competition with China. If Iran and its proxies want to launch a large-scale retaliation against Israel, they may also notify the United States in advance, and thus tell Israel, so that the intensity of the confrontation between all parties can be kept within a controllable range.

Iranian media have already hinted that the world will witness extraordinary scenes and very important developments in the coming hours. This suggests that Iran may be preparing for some form of military action, and that the United States and its allies are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to take the necessary measures to protect its interests and allies.

Haniyeh's death will not lead to a Middle East war, nor will Hamas be quickly eliminated. Iran needs to retaliate to show its anti-Israel stance, and the United States needs to show its firm determination to protect Israel, while also pressuring Israel not to trigger a Middle East war.

As the situation continues to develop, the world's attention is focused on the Middle East, waiting for the "good show" that is about to be staged. How Iran can retaliate in a moderate and effective manner will surely be a very exciting show.