A recent port visit by the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Ramage to Beirut was the first for a U.S. warship in 36 years, according to Lt. Andriana Genualdi, a Navy spokesman. And it came at a time when the region is roiling with Iranian-backed militants wreaking havoc from Israel to Yemen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One expert said the visit might be a message and a warning to Iran and its proxy forces to stop destabilizing the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A broader regional conflict bolstered by Iranian militants appears to be spilling out across the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Saturday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iran for the attacks on two Saudi oil facilities that have caused oil production to plummet. Iranian-backed Houthi rebels<\/a> based out of Yemen claimed responsibility for the attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n President Donald Trump tweeted on Sunday evening that the U.S. was \u201clocked and loaded depending on verification\u201d of who perpetrated Saturday\u2019s attack on Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saudi Arabia claimed without evidence on Monday that the attacks against its oil facilities were not launched from Yemen and were carried out by Iranian weapons, according to the New York Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Secretary of Defense Mark Esper tweeted on Monday that the U.S. would work through its partners to address the \u201cunprecedented attack and defend the international rules-based order that is being undermined by Iran.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the last several weeks, Israel has been the target of anti-tank missile strikes from Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants, and rocket and drone attacks from Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Israel Defense Forces say they also recently thwarted a multi-drone attack coordinated by Iranian forces and Hezbollah militants from Syria.<\/p>\n\n\n\t