Pentagon bolsters force in Middle East with Marines and missiles to confront Iran

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/05/10/pentagon-marines-patriot-missiles-added-force-confronting-iran/ [login to see] /
The Pentagon announced Friday that a Marine transport ship and a Patriot missile battery will be added to forces sent earlier this week to the Middle East to counter threats from Iran.

The USS Arlington, which carries Marines, amphibious vehicles, landing craft and helicopters, will head to the region along with the Patriot missile battery. Patriot missiles can shoot down tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and warplanes.

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan approved the deployment of the ship and weaponry to fulfill a request from U.S. Central Command to counter what the military has said are credible threats from Iran to U.S. forces in the Middle East.

Earlier this week the Pentagon announced that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and warships that accompany it would arrive in the region sooner than originally planned along with B-52 bombers.

Shanahan, at an appearance at the Pentagon Friday, warned Iran against attacking U.S. forces and interests.

"I would just say it's important that Iran understand that an attack on Americans or our interests would be met with an appropriate response," Shanahan said.