The U.S. plans to enhance its military presence in the Middle East by deploying a squadron of fighter jets and maintaining an aircraft carrier in the region.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon announced Friday that the U.S. will relocate a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and keep an aircraft carrier stationed in the region. This move is intended to bolster American military presence to support Israel and protect U.S. forces from potential threats posed by Iran and its allies.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has also ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to both the European and Middle Eastern regions and is arranging for more land-based ballistic missile defense systems to be deployed there, according to a Pentagon statement.

This decision follows a commitment made by President Joe Biden to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During a call on Thursday, Biden discussed the new U.S. military deployments aimed at countering potential ballistic missile and drone attacks. In April, U.S. forces intercepted numerous missiles and drones launched by Iran targeting Israel.

U.S. officials are concerned about rising violence in the Middle East following recent Israeli strikes on Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, which have provoked threats of retaliation. Iran has also vowed to respond after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the killing of senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut.