CRISIS GOES DEEP

US fears Iran is about to attack Israel | Carrier group racing to the region | Missile sub joining American force

- CHRIS HUGHES

AN American missile submarine and a second carrier strike group are racing to the Middle East amid fears İran is about to launch a major attack on Israel.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the USS Georgia to the region, while the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group was told to speed up its journey.

The rapid American response came after a night of heavy fighting in which Iran's proxy Hezbollah fired dozens of missiles into Israel from Lebanon. Iran is bracing for possible all-out war following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh as he visited the country.

Russia is believed to have provided Iran with new air defence systems.

The suspected Israeli plot to hit Haniyeh crossed Iran's red lines and Iran has repeatedly warned of a revenge strike.