The United States is sending more military assets to the Middle East as the fighting between Israel and Iran continues to escalate. US defence secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the move on Monday, saying the deployments aim to strengthen protection for American troops in the region.“Over the weekend, I directed the deployment of additional capabilities to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility,” Hegseth said in a post on social media platform X. “Protecting US forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in the region.”While Hegseth did not detail what forces or equipment were being sent, US defence sources told news agency Reuters that the reinforcements include a large number of US Air Force refuelling aircraft. These planes help extend the range and time fighter jets can stay in the air. The Pentagon is also moving the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz to the Middle East.The Nimitz is one of the world’s largest warships and was seen travelling through the Malacca Strait towards the Indian Ocean on Monday afternoon, according to Marine Traffic, a ship-tracking website. A Vietnamese official confirmed that a planned reception on board the Nimitz was cancelled, reports news agency AFP. A letter from the US embassy stated that the visit was being scrapped due to “an emergent operational requirement.”The carrier’s redirection coincides with day four of an increasingly deadly aerial conflict between Iran and Israel. Iranian authorities said that Israeli airstrikes had killed at least 224 people, including military officials, nuclear experts and civilians. In response, Iran launched missiles at Israel and warned that “effective, targeted and more devastating operations” could follow.US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said on Monday that one of Iran’s missiles slightly damaged a building used by the American embassy in Tel Aviv.At the same time, online flight-tracking platforms have shown around two dozen US Air Force tanker aircraft flying eastward over the Atlantic since Sunday. Defence news and analysis website TWZ believe the planes may either be preparing to support Israeli aerial operations over Iran or are creating a refuelling bridge to move more US assets into the region.Speaking from the G7 summit in Canada, Donald Trump offered a vague warning. “As soon as I leave here, we’re going to be doing something. But I have to leave here,” he told reporters.The White House also confirmed that the MAGA supremo is set to leave the G7 summit a day early due to the ongoing Middle East crisis.