U.S. Deploys Additional Patriot Missile Batteries to Saudi Arabia and Qatar

<p>The U.S. military has sent two additional Patriot missile batteries to protect oil and gas facilities in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, according to two U.S. officials and one regional source.</p><p><strong>Context:</strong> The U.S. aims to reassure both allies regarding the protection of their key energy facilities amid considerations by President Trump to resume major combat operations against Iran.</p><hr /><ul><li>On Thursday, Trump stated that he is contemplating renewing a bombing campaign in the coming weeks, saying, "Now I have to make a decision: either Iran signs the deal, or it won't exist any longer." </li></ul><p><strong>Background:</strong> In early August, when Trump was considering a significant attack that included strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, leaders from Saudi Arabia and Qatar urged him not to proceed, expressing concerns that Iran might retaliate against their oil and natural gas facilities.</p><ul><li>U.S. officials indicated that these appeals were influential in Trump's decision to avoid an attack and instead pursue an economic pressure strategy.</li></ul><p><strong>Details:</strong> Last month, the U.S. military sent one additional Patriot battery to Saudi Arabia to safeguard a key oil facility, while another battery was dispatched to Qatar for a natural gas facility.</p><ul><li>The U.S. will require Saudi Arabia's permission to use its airspace if major combat operations are to resume, but the Saudis may be reluctant to grant this if they feel their oil facilities are unprotected.</li><li>Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), declined to comment on the situation.</li></ul><p><strong>Current Situation:</strong> Patriot missile batteries and their interceptors have become increasingly sought after since the onset of the conflict with Iran.</p><ul><li>The U.S. military has transferred these batteries and interceptors from other regional commands, raising concerns about military readiness in those areas.</li></ul><p><strong>Military Movements:</strong> The U.S. military is increasing its presence in the Middle East with more warships, fighter jets, and troops in anticipation of a potential resumption of hostilities.</p><ul><li>A U.S. official reported that the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier and its strike group departed San Diego on Sunday, expected to arrive in the Middle East around mid-November.</li><li>The Roosevelt will join the USS George H.W. Bush, which has been in the region since March, and the USS George Washington, which was sent from Japan during the summer.</li><li>This deployment could result in up to three aircraft carrier strike groups in the Middle East, providing significant military capability, according to a U.S. official.</li><li>However, it remains unclear whether the Roosevelt will replace one of the existing aircraft carriers in the region or if it will be an additional deployment.</li></ul><p><strong>Additional Deployments:</strong> The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, which includes three amphibious ships carrying thousands of Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, departed for the region on Monday.</p><ul><li>This group is expected to arrive in the Middle East by the end of November, joining another Amphibious Group and Marine expeditionary unit already deployed in the area.</li></ul>