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U.S. NEWS Saturday 11 May 2019
U.S. moving Patriot

missile battery to

Mideast to counter Iran

By LOLITA C. BALDOR
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. will move a Patriot missile
battery into the Middle East to counter threats from Iran,
the Pentagon said Friday, reflecting ongoing concerns
that Tehran may be planning to attack America forces or
interests in the region.
The Defense Department released a statement about
the move but provided no details. An official said the de-
cision comes after intelligence showed that the Iranians
have loaded military equipment and missiles onto small Worshippers chant slogans against the United States and Israel during a rally after Friday prayers
boats controlled by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The offi- in Tehran, Iran, Friday, May 10, 2019.
cial was not authorized to discuss the information publicly Associated Press
and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Officials had said earlier this week that sending a Patriot
battery to the area was under discussion and was part of
the initial request made by the Pentagon’s U.S. Central
Command. They said it took a few days to get final ap-
proval for the Patriot, a long-range, all-weather air de-
fense system to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise
missiles and advanced aircraft.
The U.S. removed Patriot missile batteries from Bahrain,
Kuwait and Jordan late last year. It was not clear if the
battery would go back to one of those countries.
U.S. officials announced Sunday that they would rush an
aircraft carrier strike group and bombers to the region.
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and accompa-
nying ships have passed through the Suez Canal and are
now in the Red Sea.
Officials had initially indicated that the military moves
were based in part on indications that Iran had moved
short-range ballistic missiles onto small boats called dhows
along its shore.
Officials would not say if the intelligence showed that the
boats have mobile launchers on them. But a notice to
mariners in the region has warned of potential threats to
commercial maritime traffic.
John Bolton, the national security adviser, announced
the initial moves on Sunday, citing “troubling and escala-
tory indications and warnings” but did not explain what
they were.
On Friday, a defense official said the Iranian threats also
include potential attacks by Iranian proxies, such as Shia
militias in Iraq.
Several officials said they have not yet seen any tangible
move by Iran in reaction to the U.S. military shifts in the
area. But they also noted there have been no attacks.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a quick visit
Tuesday to Baghdad to meet with top leaders and under-
score Iraq’s need to protect Americans in their country.
The Pentagon also said Friday that the USS Arlington, an
amphibious transport ship, will move to the Middle East
region earlier than planned. The ship is in Europe and will
be replacing the USS McHenry, which is scheduled to
leave.q