US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the USS Eisenhower carrier strike group to be deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean, in a move widely seen as a deterrent to Iran and Hezbollah.
The announcement came shortly after Austin wrapped up his visit to Israel, where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
In a statement, Austin said this is being done "as part of our efforts to deter hostile actions against Israel or any attempt to expand this war following Hamas's attack on Israel."
The Strike Group includes the guided missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea, the guided missile destroyers USS Gravely and USS Mason, and Carrier Air Wing 3, with nine aircraft squadrons.
The Eisenhower CSG will join the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, which arrived Wednesday.
"The increased U.S. force posture signals the ironclad commitment of the U.S. to Israel's security and our determination to deter any state or non-state actors seeking to escalate this war," Austin said.
The nuclear-powered USS Eisenhower is one of 10 Nimitz-class carriers of the US Navy.