United States sent nuclear submarine to the Middle East, Israel welcomed the move

(Patria) - The US Navy sent a nuclear submarine to the Middle East, the military announced in a rare statement of this kind on social media, agencies reported.

"On November 5, 2023, an Ohio-class submarine arrived in the US Central Command area of responsibility," US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced in a late Sunday post on X.

The unusual public announcement of the nuclear submarine's position in the Middle East is seen by many as a message of deterrence to regional rivals such as Iran and its allies in the region.
The Israeli military welcomed the move.

"It's always good news to see the Americans putting more assets in," said military spokesman Richard Hecht.

"We see this as a kind of deterrent, stabilizing aspect in the region," added Lieutenant Colonel Hecht.

The post on X did not specify which submarine it was, but the US Navy has four Ohio-class guided missile submarines (SSGN). SSGNs are former ballistic missile submarines converted to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Like nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs), SSGNs can operate undetected near the enemy for extended periods. They can secretly deploy Special Operations Forces and conduct strike operations with an element of surprise, Arab media write.

The US has already sent two aircraft carriers to the region since Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel.