US sends additional Patriot batteries to Saudi Arabia and Qatar: Report

Axios reports that last month, the U.S. military sent one additional Patriot battery to Saudi Arabia to protect a key oil facility.[1] The outlet says another Patriot battery was sent to Qatar to protect a natural gas facility.[1]According to Axios, the U.S. wanted to reassure both allies that it would protect their key energy facilities in case President Trump decides to resume major combat operations against Iran.[1] Axios quotes Trump as saying on Thursday: "Now I have to make a decision: either Iran signs the deal, or it won't exist any longer."[1]The Jerusalem Post, citing Axios, reports that in August, both Saudi Arabia and Qatar's concerns over Iranian strikes were a key reason[3] Trump chose economic pressure over an attack. Axios also reports that the Saudis are unlikely to grant permission[1] for US use of their airspace if they feel oil facilities won't be protected.[1]Middle East Eye says the deployments stand out because Patriot batteries are in high demand worldwide, and the US has a limited supply.[2] Citing the Missile Defence Alliance, the outlet reports the US has just 33 batteries stationed at home and 27 batteries stationed overseas[2]. Tim Hawkins, declined to comment.[1]Anadolu-sourced reports in The Express Tribune say the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier and its strike group left San Diego on Sunday and were expected to reach the region around mid-November.[4]