The U.S. sent two B-52 bombers to the Persian Gulf on Friday to deter Iran from attacks in the region.
The bombers left the Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana on Friday. U.S. drones also bombed al-Qaeda-linked targets in Somalia on Friday.
Military officials believe Iran-linked attacks might increase in the coming weeks - particularly during the upcoming presidential transition.
"We have seen some indications of increased attack planning by Iran-linked forces inside Iraq...Presidential transitions are normally a time when our adversaries try to test us," a U.S. military official, who declined to be identified, said.
The decision to increase hardware in the region follows U.S. plans to reduce troops in Iraq and Afghanistan to around 2,500 by Jan. 20. Most nonessential personnel at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad have already been pulled out.
U.S. intelligence said it was taking precautions for a possible attack next month during the anniversary of the death of Iran general Qasem Soleimani. The official was killed during a government-sanctioned drone strike Jan. 3.
U.S. Central Command Gen. Frank McKenzie said the two bombers should ensure security and stability. He warned potential adversaries to understand the U.S. was ready and capable of facing any aggression. "We do not seek conflict but we must remain postured and committed to respond to any contingency," McKenzie said.
The U.S. conducted an airstrike on several targets in Somalia. The U.S. Africa command announced the strike in a statement but it did not say if al-Qaida fighters were killed.
Despite an order from U.S. President Trump for the withdrawal of troops in Somalia, military officials said they won't be leaving until the al-Shabaab threat was destroyed.
"We will continue to apply pressure to the al-Shabaab network. It continues to undermine Somali security and needs to be contained and degraded," U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend said.
