The latest deployment of 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East, which was announced on Monday, will include a Patriot missile battalion, manned and unmanned surveillance aircraft and "other deterrence capabilities," the Pentagon said on Wednesday.
"The United States does not seek conflict with Iran, but we are postured and ready to defend US forces and interests in the region," a Pentagon spokeswoman said in a statement.
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Fears of a confrontation between Iran and the United States have mounted since last week's attack on two oil tankers at the entrance to the Gulf, which Washington blamed on Tehran. Iran denies the accusations.
On Thursday, Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it shot down a US drone. The US military declined to immediately comment.
Amid the heightened tensions, US President Donald Trump has nominated Mark Esper as his new defense secretary.
Esper is an Army veteran who served in the Gulf War and also has experience as a national security adviser on Capitol Hill and as a defense industry lobbyist.
Trump said Esper, his current Army secretary, would lead the Defense Department on an acting basis.
"I know Mark, and have no doubt he will do a fantastic job!" the president tweeted.
"He's very experienced. He's been around all of the things that we've been talking about for a very long period of time," Trump said.
