US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has stressed that the United States is determined to prevent Iran and Iranian-backed partners and proxies from exploiting the situation in the Middle East or expanding the conflict, the Pentagon said in a statement.

Austin, the statement added, made it clear that should Iran, its partners, or its proxies use this moment to target American personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take every necessary measure to defend our people.

US will reinforced “defensive air support capabilities" in the coming days in the Middle East, the Pentagon said in the statement.