Acting U.S. Defense Chief sends strike group to Middle East over 'credible threat by Iran'

Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said on Monday that he had approved sending a carrier strike group and bombers to the Middle East because of a "credible threat by Iranian regime forces."

"(It) represents a prudent repositioning of assets in response to indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces," Shanahan said on Twitter.

"We call on the Iranian regime to cease all provocation. We will hold the Iranian regime accountable for any attack on US forces or our interests," he added.