The United States is dispatching Patriot defensive missiles to four countries in the Middle East — Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait. The U.S. is also keeping two ships in the Gulf capable of shooting down Iranian missiles. Washington is also helping Saudi Arabia develop a 30,000-strong military force to protect its oil installations.
The U.S. released the information by leaking it to American newspapers the administration is evidently seeking to alert Tehran to a hardening of its position.
The US navy is in the process of upgrading all its Ticonderoga class cruisers and a number of destroyers to carry the Aegis ballistic missile defense system.
Wikipedia: Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System | Ticonderoga class cruiser | Qatar | United Arab Emirates | Bahrain | Kuwait | Saudi Arabia
SOURCE: US raises stakes on Iran by sending in ships and missiles