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The U.S. is boosting its forces in the Middle East in preparation for a possible Iranian attack against Israel and sending to the region more warships and fighter jets, the Pentagon said in a statement.

Why it matters: The Biden administration is convinced Iran is going to attack Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this week and is preparing to counter it, three U.S. officials told Axios.

• U.S. officials say they expect any Iranian retaliation to be from the same playbook as their Apr. 13 attack on Israel — but potentially larger in scope — and it could also involve Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Driving the news: President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone Thursday as the Biden administration seeks to prevent the series of Israeli assassinations in Beirut and Tehran from escalating into regional war.

• “The President discussed efforts to support Israel’s defense against threats, including against ballistic missiles and drones, to include new defensive U.S. military deployments,” the White House said.

State of play: The Pentagon said Secretary of Defense Austin ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, which is currently deployed in the region.

• Austin also ordered sending additional cruisers and destroyers which have an AEGIS system for intercepting ballistic missiles to the U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command regions.
• “The Department is also taking steps to increase our readiness to deploy additional land-based ballistic missile defense,” the Pentagon said.
• Austin also ordered the deployment of an additional fighter jet squadron to the Middle East.

What they’re saying: The Pentagon said the decision to boost U.S. forces in the region is taking place ahead of possible regional escalation by Iran or Iran’s partners and proxies against Israel.

• “Secretary Austin has ordered adjustments to U.S. military posture designed to improve U.S. force protection, to increase support for the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies,” the Pentagon said. 

Behind the scenes: Austin spoke on Friday with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, updated him about the new forces he is sending to the region and stressed U.S. resolve to help Israel defend itself against Iran and Hezbollah, the Pentagon said.

• The Pentagon said Austin told Gallant that “further escalation is not inevitable and that all countries in the region would benefit from a de-escalation in tensions, including through completing a Gaza ceasefire and hostage-release deal.”
• Gallant stressed to Austin the importance of working together with a coalition of partners and allies in the region to defeat an Iranian attack, the Israeli ministry of defense said.
• The Israeli minister of defense also stressed he is committed “to achieving a [ceasefire] agreement swiftly and ensuring the return of hostages to Israel.”

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