Axios: US deploys Patriot systems in Saudi Arabia and Qatar — Anadolu Agency
The United States has deployed two additional Patriot surface-to-air missile batteries to protect energy facilities in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. As Anadolu Agency reports, citing Axios, the deployment took place amid preparations for a possible resumption of large-scale US military operations against Iran.
Protection of energy facilities
According to Axios, one battery was sent to Saudi Arabia last month to protect a key oil facility. The second was deployed in Qatar to defend a gas facility. Citing two US officials and a regional source, the outlet said these steps were intended to reassure both countries of Washington's readiness to protect their critical energy infrastructure.
US President Donald Trump said on October 2 that he was considering resuming the bombing campaign in the coming weeks. “Now I have to make a decision: either Iran signs a deal, or it will cease to exist,” he said.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Additional forces in the Middle East
Axios also reported that Saudi and Qatari leaders urged Trump in early August not to launch a large-scale attack that could include strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure. They feared retaliatory strikes on oil and gas facilities. According to US officials, these appeals became one of the key factors in Trump's decision to intensify economic pressure instead.
According to the outlet, Washington would need Riyadh's permission to use Saudi airspace to resume large-scale operations. Without guarantees of protection for oil infrastructure, the kingdom would be unlikely to agree. US Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins declined to comment on the report.
The United States is also sending additional warships, fighter jets and troops to the Middle East, Axios reported. The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and its strike group left San Diego on Sunday and are expected to arrive in the region around mid-November. Officials have not yet determined whether it will replace the existing deployment or increase the US presence to three carrier strike groups. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, with thousands of Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, departed on Monday and is expected to arrive by the end of November.
