The Pentagon announced that it is deploying an amphibious assault ship and Patriot missile battery to Middle East to bolster an-aircraft-carrier force sent to counter alleged threats from Iran. "The Department of Defense continues to closely monitor the activities of the Iranian regime, their military and proxies," it said. Amid the rising tensions, Trump said Thursday he is open to talks with Tehran's leadership.

The Pentagon has strongly denied the reports that US spied on India's anti-satellite or ASAT missile test by sending a reconnaissance aircraft from its base in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to monitor the development. It, however, said that United States was aware of India's first test-fire of an-anti-satellite missile. This was interpreted by many that the US spied on India's ASAT test.

India and the US have identified small air launch unmanned aerial vehicles and a lightweight small arms technology project along with aircraft maintenance for defence collaboration, a top Pentagon official has said. The US statement came as defence officials from the two countries held their latest round of Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) talks in Washington.