WASHINGTON

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed Monday that he directed the deployment of additional capabilities to the Middle East over the weekend amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran.

"Over the weekend, I directed the deployment of additional capabilities to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility," Hegseth said on X.

"Protecting US forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in the region," he added.

A defense official told Anadolu that Hegseth directed the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group to the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility to sustain "our defensive posture and safeguard American personnel."

"In the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) AOR, the U.S. Navy continues to conduct operations in the Eastern Mediterranean in support of U.S. national security objectives," the official added.

Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said American forces are maintaining their "defensive posture" and that has not changed.

"We will protect American troops & our interests," he said on X.

US President Donald Trump will return to Washington, DC later Monday, ending his participation in the G7 summit in Canada.

"President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer," White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on X.

"Much was accomplished, but because of what’s going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State," she added.

Trump requested that the National Security Council be prepared in the situation room, Fox News reported.

Earlier, he urged civilians to evacuate Tehran "immediately" amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran.

"Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again!

"Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" he said on his Truth Social platform.

Tensions have escalated since Friday, when Israel launched coordinated airstrikes and drone attacks on multiple sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.

Israeli authorities said that at least 24 people have been killed and hundreds injured in Iranian missile attacks since then.

Iran said that at least 224 people have been killed and over 1,000 others wounded in the Israeli assault.