US to send fighter jet squadon to Mideast amid fears of regional war

The U.S. will send a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and maintain an aircraft carrier in the region, the Pentagon said on Friday, beefing up its military presence to help defend Israel from possible attacks by Iran and its proxies. The move comes amid worry about escalating violence in the Middle East in response to recent attacks by Israel on Hamas and Hezbollah leaders in Iran and Lebanon.