WASHINGTON, Nov 8, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - American F-15 fighter planes arrived in
the Middle East on Thursday, the US military said, after Washington announced
the deployment of additional assets to the region in a warning to Iran.

"Today, US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles from the 492nd Fighter Squadron, RAF
Lakenheath, England, arrive in the US Central Command area of
responsibility," the military command responsible for the Middle East said on
social media.

The United States announced on November 1 that it was sending bombers,
fighter and tanker aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the
Middle East.

"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
measure necessary to defend our people," Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat
Ryder said in a statement on the deployment.

Israel launched strikes against Iran on October 26, hitting military
infrastructure while steering clear of critical nuclear and oil sites, and
the country's supreme leader has vowed that Tehran will retaliate for Israeli
attacks.

Iran has carried out two major attacks against Israel in 2024 -- one in April
after a strike on its consulate in Damascus that was blamed on Israel, and
another in October that Tehran said was in response to the assassination of
leaders of armed groups it backs in the Middle East.