The United States has ordered the deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East, according to multiple reports from major U.S. media outlets.
The USS Gerald R. Ford and its accompanying escort ships are set to join the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group already stationed in the Gulf region. This strategic move comes as President Donald Trump weighs potential military action and intensifies pressure on Tehran.
Last week, Washington and Tehran engaged in indirect talks regarding the future of Iran’s nuclear program. However, the diplomatic path remains fraught; President Trump issued a stern warning on Thursday, stating that Iran would face “very traumatic” consequences if a new nuclear deal is not reached.
The USS Abraham Lincoln was initially dispatched to the Gulf late last month in response to the Iranian government’s crackdown on anti-government protests. Now, the USS Gerald R. Ford is being redirected from its current station in the Caribbean Sea.
While the Pentagon has not issued an official statement, reports from The Wall Street Journal and CBS News, citing unnamed officials, confirm the preparations. It remains unclear how long the two carrier strike groups will maintain their joint presence in the region.
