The U.S. Navy announced on Tuesday that the aircraft carrier "Harry Truman" is heading to the Middle East as part of a strike group.

In a statement, the U.S. Navy reported that the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier "Harry Truman" departed from Norfolk Naval Base on Monday, September 23, for its scheduled deployment.

The statement noted that two destroyers and a guided-missile cruiser will join "Harry Truman" for a scheduled operation in the area of operations of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and the Sixth Fleet.

Admiral Darryl Coadle, commander of the U.S. Fleet Forces Command, stated that this deployment follows the nine-month mission of the aircraft carrier strike group "Dwight D. Eisenhower," which highlighted the need for a continued U.S. presence amid rising international tensions.

It is expected that an Italian Navy frigate will join the American strike group to participate in operations and exercises during part of the mission.

The deployment of "Harry Truman" to the Middle East comes against the backdrop of escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Earlier, Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder stated that the U.S. currently has 40,000 troops in the Middle East, adding that due to the tensions in the region, a limited number of additional U.S. military personnel will be sent there, without providing further details for "security reasons."