US boosts military presence in Middle East, signs major SM-6 production deal

The United States has begun increasing the deployment of warships, fighter jets and troops in the Middle East region near Iran.

According to US officials, preparations are underway to station three aircraft carriers and two Marine landing groups near Iran. Reuters reported that the carrier strike group led by the USS Theodore Roosevelt departed California last Sunday, with a naval group led by the Makin Island following the next day.

The Roosevelt group is expected to reach the Middle East by mid-November and the Makin Island group by the end of November. According to Al Jazeera, about 7,000 sailors and roughly 2,000 Marines left San Diego for the Middle East this week.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has announced a five-year contract worth about 24.4 billion US dollars with Raytheon to increase production of SM-6 missiles. The Pentagon said the deal is meant to replenish weapons stockpiles depleted during the war against Iran.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations has reported that an unidentified object struck a large oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire. It has not yet been confirmed who carried out the strike.