Media: Pentagon conducts consultations with allies in the Middle East due to Iran

United States military leadership is conducting consultations with Middle Eastern allies regarding tensions surrounding Iran.

As reported by BAKU.WS, this was announced by The New York Times (NYT) newspaper, citing sources.

According to their information, over the past weekend, the head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), Admiral Brad Cooper, visited Syria, Iraq, and Israel to hold a series of meetings with American military personnel and his colleagues in these countries. During the consultations, the sources note, Iraqis were informed that in case of possible escalation of tensions with Tehran and attacks by pro-Iranian formations in Iraq on American bases and troops, the United States would take retaliatory measures. Representatives of the Washington administration also held consultations with officials from Saudi Arabia and Qatar regarding the situation around Iran.

The Pentagon, the newspaper continues, has sent about ten more F-15E fighters to the region, as well as Patriot and THAAD air defense systems to strengthen its military presence. Long-range bombers based in the United States, which can strike targets in Iran, have remained on high alert for two weeks.

Earlier, the Middle East Eye portal reported, citing a source in one of the Persian Gulf countries, that the US is considering the possibility of launching targeted strikes against Iran. According to the portal, the United States may attack the Islamic republic as early as this week, however, the timing is still being discussed. On January 26, President Donald Trump stated in an interview with Axios portal that the US has concentrated large forces near Iran, and expressed confidence in Tehran's readiness for dialogue and potential agreements with Washington.

An Iranian Foreign Ministry representative, Ismail Bagaei, previously stated that the country's military is closely tracking all US military movements in the Middle East and taking necessary measures to strengthen the country's defense capabilities.