The US military has deployed two additional Patriot missile batteries to protect energy facilities in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, amid preparations for possible renewed military operations against Iran, Anadolu reports citing Axios, which cites two US officials and a regional source.

One battery was sent to Saudi Arabia last month to protect a key oil facility, while another was deployed to Qatar to defend a natural gas facility, according to the report.

The deployments intend to reassure both countries that Washington would protect their critical energy infrastructure if US President Donald Trump resumes major combat operations against Iran.

US Central Command spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins has declined to comment.