San Diego-Based USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group to Remain in Middle East Amid Turmoil

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Sunday ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group to remain in the Middle East in the aftermath of Israel's destruction of the Hezbollah terrorist group.

The San Diego-based aircraft carrier and its accompanying destroyers had been diverted from the Pacific Ocean in August, and will now remain in the region until further notice. The warships were most recently in the Arabian Sea.

A Pentagon spokesman said the United States is "determined to prevent Iran and Iranian-backed partners and proxies from exploiting the situation or expanding the conflict."

Since Since Sept 17, Israel has dealt the Iran-backed terrorist group a series of major blows, from exploding pagers to a massive bombing that killed the group's long-time leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in his underground bunker.

Iran and terrorist groups in the region have vowed revenge.

Escorting the nuclear-powered Lincoln in the Middle East are the guided-missile destroyers USS O'Kane, USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and USS Spruance.

Also in the region is the East Coast-based USS Wasp amphibious ready group with embarked Marines and F-35B stealth fighters. And the USS Harry Truman carrier strike group recently left Norfolk on its way to the Mediterranean Sea.