The United States is maneuvering its military assets, including naval assets, in anticipation of an Iranian retaliation against Israel for its unprecedented strike against Iran.

U.S. officials told multiple outlets that the Navy directed the USS Thomas Hudner, a destroyer capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, from the western Mediterranean Sea toward the eastern Mediterranean Sea, where it will join the USS Arleigh Burke. A second destroyer was also ordered to change course to be available if requested.

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The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is based in the Arabian Sea, containing the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, the cruiser USS Princeton, and the destroyers USS Milius and USS Wayne E. Meyer.

The destroyers USS Forrest Sherman, USS Truxtun, and USS The Sullivans are in the Red Sea.

One official told the Hill that the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz is in the Indo-Pacific region, where it could be directed toward the Middle East if needed, and the aircraft carrier USS George Washington just left port in Japan, where it could be ordered toward the region.

The naval assets can be primarily used to intercept Iranian ballistic missiles, which can only be intercepted by advanced missile defense systems, such as those on board U.S. destroyers.

U.S. naval assets were summoned toward Israel by former President Joe Biden after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack, intended as a deterrent to any missile attack from Iran or Hezbollah. U.S. destroyers launched about a dozen interceptor missiles during Iran’s October ballistic missile attack against Israel.

Israel struck Iran using roughly 200 aircraft in the early hours of Friday, taking out nearly all its senior military leaders and head nuclear scientists.

The U.S. sought to distance itself from the strikes, noting it was committed to diplomacy and that Israel acted unilaterally.

“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.

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Despite the U.S.’s attempts to distance itself, Iran directly blamed the U.S. for the attack. Many analysts warn Tehran could retaliate with strikes against vulnerable U.S. bases across the Middle East.

The U.S. evacuated many diplomatic personnel from embassies across the region in anticipation of the strikes on Wednesday.