The United States on Friday deployed a squadron of F-16 fighter jets to the Middle East amid growing expectations of an Israeli attack on Iran, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Friday.

"US Air Force F-16s from the 480th Fighter Squadron based at Spangdahlem Air Force Base, Germany, arrive in the US Central Command area of ​​responsibility," CENTCOM said in a statement.

CENTCOM did not specify the intended operational role of the F-16s, but emphasized their mission to reinforce the US presence in the region.

The deployment comes as regional tensions rise as Israel is expected to retaliate against Iran following a large-scale ballistic missile attack on Israel on October 1.

Iran said it carried out the attack in retaliation for the assassination of a former Hamas political leader in Tehran in July and the killing of Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut last month.

Nearly 200 rockets were fired in the volley, which hit several locations in Israel, including a military facility, but resulted in no casualties.

The exchange of fire between Tel Aviv and Tehran has escalated this year after Israel bombed the Iranian Embassy in Syria on April 1, killing senior military officials. Iran responded to the attack two weeks later by launching hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles at Israel. /AA