U.S. Military Chief Makes Surprise Visit to Jordan, Aims to De-escalate Middle East Tensions | WPN World People News

The situation in the Middle East is escalating, with Iran threatening retaliation against Israel as the Israel-Hamas conflict continues to expand. On the 25th, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General C.Q. Brown began an unannounced visit to the Middle East, aiming to de-escalate tensions and prevent a full-scale conflict.

According to a Reuters report, Brown quietly visited Jordan as the first stop of his Middle East tour on the 25th. He stated that he would also visit Egypt and Israel to gather military perspectives from their leaders. Meanwhile, the U.S. is attempting to broker a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza. Brown noted that if successful, it could help to cool down the situation in the region.

The ongoing Israel-Hamas Gaza war, now in its 11th month, has left Gaza in ruins. Israel has been repeatedly clashing with the Hezbollah group, backed by Iran, at the border. Additionally, in late October of last year, the Houthi movement from Yemen began attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea. Pro-Iranian militia groups have also continued their attacks on U.S. forces stationed in Syria, Iraq, and Jordan.

Concerned that Iran might rally its allies to launch new significant attacks, the U.S. military has been actively bolstering its presence in the Middle East in recent weeks. This includes deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group, sending a squadron of F-22 Raptor fighter jets to the region, and deploying a cruise missile submarine.
Brown emphasized that the additional U.S. military presence is intended to send a strong message to deter a full-scale conflict and to ensure protection if U.S. forces come under attack, stressing that the safety of U.S. troops is the "number one" priority.