Amid the Israel-Hamas war, the US military has announced the entry of a guided missile submarine into the Middle East, a rare move directed at regional adversaries, primarily those backed by Iran. The subs can be equipped with advanced ballistic or Tomahawk cruise missiles.
US Central Command on Sunday (Nov 5) declared on social media that an Ohio-class submarine entered its area of responsibility even as Secretary of State Antony Blinken tours the region. Blinken has so far visited Israel, the West Bank, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan and Cyprus in his second trip to the region since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.
On November 5, 2023, an Ohio-class submarine arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. pic.twitter.com/iDgUFp4enp
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 5, 2023
The Ohio-class is a set of nuclear-powered submarines that can carry up to 24 Trident II D5 nuclear missiles.
These submarines are known for their stealth and ability to operate quietly beneath the ocean’s surface, which renders them undetectable to adversaries.
