The US Pentagon confirmed on Sunday that it has deployed an Ohio-class submarine to Middle Eastern waters as the Israel-Hamas war enters its second month. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the deployment on social media but did not specify the exact location of the submarine. Ohio-class submarines are capable of carrying cruise and Tomahawk missiles, making it a significant addition to the US forces in the region. This deployment comes alongside the presence of two US carriers already in the area and the dispatch of missile defense equipment and support to Gulf allies.

Photos released by CENTCOM show the submarine sailing through the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean and Red Seas, indicating its arrival in the Mediterranean. It is reported that this submarine is the largest of the 14 ballistic submarines controlled by the US Navy, although the exact weapon configuration aboard the vessel has not been independently verified. The deployment coincided with high-level diplomatic visits by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the region, where he met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, as well as officials from other countries.

The US's defensive military posture in the region continues to evolve amid growing concerns of regional escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict.