Pentagon says U.S. carrier, bombers sent to Middle East on ‘credible threat’ by Iran – RTRS

U.S. acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan crossed the wires overnight who has  approved sending a carrier strike group and bombers to the Middle East because of indications of a “credible threat by Iranian regime forces,” according to a Reuters article.  

“U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said on Sunday the United States was deploying the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East to send a message to Iran.

While neither Shanahan nor Bolton provided details on U.S. intelligence, other U.S. officials told Reuters there were “multiple, credible threats” against U.S. forces on land, including in Iraq, by Iran and proxy forces and at sea.

“(It) represents a prudent repositioning of assets in response to indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces,” Shanahan said on Twitter.

Still, questions remain on what specific intelligence- gathering method was used, how relevant the intelligence was, and how those threats differ from the usual concern about Iranian military activity in the region.”