In the statement, US Central Command said that these weapons posed a "clear and imminent threat" to US and coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region.
The region -- which stretches from our Pacific coastline to the Indian Ocean -- generates nearly 60 per cent of global gross domestic product. Its commerce supports more than 3 million American jobs. Much of the world's advanced manufacturing, which helps power the US economy, happens in its
Amid escalating tension between Israel and Hezbollah, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin held talks with Israel Defence Minister Yoav Gallant about the threats posed by Iran and other Iranian-backed terrorist groups.
The United States is sending a carrier strike group, a fighter squadron and additional warships to the Middle East as the region braces for possible Iranian retaliation to the killing of a senior Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this week.
Speaking to reporters as he departed for Philippines, Lloyd Austin said that the safety of American troops is really important to him, adding that the US has taken some measures to protect itself.
Apparently with China's assertiveness in the East and South China seas in mind, the three countries also reaffirmed that they "strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the waters of the Indo-Pacific."
A US-Japan Security Consultative Committee meeting also referred to as the "2+2" in Tokyo today was attended by the US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Japan Minister of Defence Kihara Minoru apart from US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and the Japanese foreign minister Yoko Kamikawa.
Lloyd Austin said that he is relieved to know that the former US President is safe and prayed for him, his family, and everyone affected by the "appalling incident."