The United States plans to bolster its defensive capabilities in the Middle East to protect American forces and help defend Israel, the Pentagon said on Friday, Paralel.Az reports citing AFP.

The announcement comes after Iran and its regional allies vowed retaliation for the killings of a Hamas leader in Tehran and a Hezbollah commander in Beirut, fueling fears of a broader conflict in the region.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin "will be directing multiple forthcoming force posture moves to bolster force protection for US forces region-wide, to provide elevated support to the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to this evolving crisis," Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said.

"In terms of what specifics that means, I don't have that for you right now," Singh told journalists, adding that "these would be defensive capabilities if needed."