The US has deployed a F-16 squadron to the Middle East which has been seen as a “provocation” by the Kremlin.
The Kremlin said in Thursday that they are keeping a close eye on the US fighter jet squadron as there is growing concern of an escalation between Israel and Hamas.
The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “Undoubtedly, this is a cause for our very close attention. Naturally, we closely follow the developments in the region.”
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State news agency Tass asked Peskov if he believed the F-16 fighter jet deployment could be used for “provocations.”
Peskov said, “As for provocations, there have been none until now and that is why I cannot say anything on this score. This is rather an issue that should be addressed to our military.”
The Pentagon has said that the fighter jet squadron is to work alongside a vast amount of capabilities which will enhance the abilities of the US armed forces to defend themselves.
Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said, “We know that the groups conducting these attacks are supported by the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)] and the Iranian regime.
“What we are seeing is the prospect for more significant escalation against US forces and personnel across the region, in the very near term, coming from Iranian proxy forces and ultimately from Iran.”
