Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Sunday that the United States is upping its presence in the Middle East because of the risk of escalated attacks on American troops.

"What we're seeing is a prospect of a significant escalation of attacks on our troops and our people throughout the region," Austin said on ABC's "This Week." "And because of that, we're going to do what's necessary to make sure that our troops are in that position and they were protected and that we have the ability to respond."

He also said that upping the military presence in the region will "send another message to those who would who would seek to widen this conflict." In response to potential attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon and from Iran, the administration has told any other groups seeking to get involved "don't."

"If any group or any country is looking to widen this conflict and take advantage of this very unfortunate situation that we see. Our advice is don't," he said. "We maintain the right to defend ourselves and we won't hesitate to take the appropriate action."

The United States announced plans to ramp up its military presence in the Middle East as an act of deterrence amid the ongoing fighting between Israel and the militant group Hamas on Saturday. Austin said in the announcement that he redirected the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Strike Group to join the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, which is currently stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

He said in the Saturday announcement that the U.S. will deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery in addition to Patriot battalions that will “increase force protection for U.S. forces.” He also said that he ordered more troops to prepare for deployment orders.

The U.S. has vowed to back Israel in its war against militant group Hamas, which launched an unprecedented, deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7 that prompted Israel to declare war on the group and launch a series of airstrikes targeting the group’s hotspots. The U.S. has designated Hamas as a terrorist organization.

The United States plans to ramp up its military presence in the Middle East as an act of deterrence amid the ongoing fighting in the region.

“Following detailed discussions with President Biden on recent escalations by Iran and its proxy forces across the Middle East Region, today I directed a series of additional steps to further strengthen the Department of Defense posture in the region,” Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced Saturday. “These steps will bolster regional deterrence efforts, increase force protection for U.S. forces in the region, and assist in the defense of Israel.”

Austin also said that he redirected the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Strike Group to join the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, which is currently stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. He said this move with “further increase our force posture and strengthen our capabilities and ability to respond to a range of contingences.”

He also said the U.S. will deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery in addition to Patriot battalions that will “increase force protection for U.S. forces.” He also said that he ordered more troops to prepare for deployment orders “as part of prudent contingency planning, to increase their readiness and ability to quickly respond as requited.” 

The U.S. has vowed to back Israel in its war against militant group Hamas, which launched an unprecedented, deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7 that prompted Israel to declare war on the group and launch a series of airstrikes targeting the group’s hotspots. The U.S. has designated Hamas as a terrorist organization.

The U.S. already provides a significant amount of assistance to Israel every year. It allocates about $3.8 billion to the nation per year, which is part of a 10-year memorandum of understanding that totals to $38 billion. President Biden is sending a urgent budget request to Congress for additional to Israel and Ukraine, which is expected to amount to $100 billion. 

More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, mostly in the first wave of attacks on Oct. 7. The Gaza Health Ministry said that at least 4,385 Palestinians are dead as a result of the violence with another 13,561 people wounded.