For the first time since the Gaza war began, the U.S. will have no aircraft carrier nearby. Meanwhile, a weapons shortage has left the Pentagon spread thin.

The Pentagon says Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is sending additional bomber aircraft and Navy warships to the Middle East to bolster the U.S. presence in the region.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pledged a “crushing response” to Israel and the U.S., as the Pentagon said it is sending U.S. ballistic missile defense destroyers and aircraft to the Middle East.

The moves come at a critical time as Israel’s war with Hamas and battles with Hezbollah in Lebanon rage, even as officials press for a cease-fire.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered more warplanes and Navy ships to the Middle East to maintain U.S. presence in the region as an aircraft carrier strike group is preparing to leave, the Pentagon announced Friday.

The United States said on Friday it will deploy B-52 bombers, fighter jets, refueling aircraft and Navy destroyers to the Middle East, in a readjustment of military assets as the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group prepares to leave the region.

U.S. ballistic missile defense destroyers, fighter squadron and tanker aircraft, and B-52 long-range strike bombers are expected to arrive in coming months, the Pentagon said.

American B-52 bombers have arrived in the Middle East, the U.S. military said Saturday, a day after Washington announced their deployment in a warning to Iran. "B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers from Minot Air Force Base's 5th Bomb Wing arrived in the U.