US warns Iran, proxies from exploiting Middle East situation to target US interests

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has stressed that the United States is determined to prevent Iran and Iranian-backed partners and proxies from exploiting the situation in the Middle East or expanding the conflict, the Pentagon said in a statement.

Austin, Pentagon spokesman Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder said in a statement, “made it clear that should Iran, its partners, or its proxies use this moment to target American personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take every necessary measure to defend our people.”

Austin also authorized the military to reinforce its presence in the Middle East with “defensive” air-support capabilities and put other forces on a heightened readiness status.

“[Austin] increased the readiness of additional US forces to deploy, elevating our preparedness to respond to various contingencies,” Ryder said.