U.S. Air Force aerial refueling aircraft are heading for the Middle East amid an escalating war between Israel and Iran and the possibility that U.S. forces could also become involved, according to flight data tracking sources.

Secretary Hegseth has authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. military dependents from CENTCOM locations amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

The U.S. is shifting military aircraft and warships into and around the Middle East to protect Israel from Iranian attacks.

As tensions heated up between Israel and Iran on Monday, President Donald Trump arranged to leave the G7 Summit early to return to Washington, while Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced he is beefing up U.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, in an interview with Fox News, said that the US has redeployed some anti-drone systems from Ukraine to the Middle East. "I was on Capitol Hill all week for hearings. And one of the questions asked was,

Senator, as you know, the Middle East remains a very dynamic theater. Putting America first, we will deploy counter-drone systems to our troops and bases whenever there is a threat. Given the current situation,

Pete Hegseth faced intense scrutiny at a Senate hearing over Signalgate chat row, Greenland invasion plans, his policies on women in uniform and transgender troops. The US Defense Secretary faced intense backlash regarding potential invasion plans for Greenland and Panama.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Dan “Razin” Caine will testify Thursday morning before the House Armed Services Committee on the Pentagon’s fiscal