The Pentagon has ordered an additional aircraft carrier to prepare for deployment to the Middle East amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran and ongoing nuclear negotiations between the two countries.
The Wall Street Journal, while citing three United States officials, reported on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, that the USS George H.W. Bush could accelerate its departure if necessary.
According to the officials, the aircraft carrier could reach the region within two weeks. WSJ reported that the U.S. officials stressed that no formal order has yet been issued to deploy the USS George H.W. Bush, but preparations are underway.
If dispatched, the carrier would join the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has already reached the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility in the Arabian Sea.
The Nimitz-class carrier brings more than 65 aircraft, including F-15E Strike Eagles, and is supported by guided-missile destroyers such as the USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr., USS Spruance, and USS Michael Murphy.
Also Read: Trump Signals Military Deployment Amid Iran Tensions
On February 6, the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, accompanied by two military supply ships, and two U.S. Coast Guard cutters, sailed together in the Arabian Sea as aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 9 flew overhead.
The intended deployment of USS George H.W. Bush, currently completing exercises off the Virginia coast, aims to strengthen deterrence, provide military options, and promote stability amid escalating regional tensions, including Iran’s crackdown on domestic protests.
The additional carrier would bolster U.S. airpower in the region and enhance readiness for any potential contingency. It further increases pressure on Tehran if diplomatic negotiations falter.
This comes amid rising tensions and ongoing nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Trump meets with Netanyahu
President Donald Trump met at the White House on Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a nearly three-hour session to discuss Iran, regional security, and ongoing negotiations.
Following the meeting, Trump described the talks as “very good,” but said no agreements were reached beyond his insistence that negotiations with Iran continue.
“There was nothing definitive reached other than I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a Deal can be consummated. If it can, I let the Prime Minister know that will be a preference. If it cannot, we will just have to see what the outcome will be. Last time Iran decided that they were better off not making a deal, and they were hit with Midnight Hammer — That did not work well for them.”
During the White House talks, Netanyahu underscored Israel’s red lines, particularly Iran’s ballistic missile program, regional proxy activity, and nuclear ambitions.
He also presented evidence that Iran continues to execute civilians despite promises to the United States to halt such executions.
Both leaders discussed possible scenarios if negotiations fail and the potential consequences of an Iranian attack on Israel.
Also Read: Trump Warns Iran of Consequences After ‘Very Good’ Meeting With Netanyahu
The Office of the Prime Minister of Israel in a statement said that the two leaders discussed the negotiations with Iran, Gaza and regional developments.
“The Prime Minister emphasized the security needs of the State of Israel in the context of the negotiations, and the two leaders agreed on continued coordination and the close contact between them.” the statement reads.
Ahead of the meeting, Netanyahu met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee at Blair House, where he signed Israel’s accession to the “Board of Peace.”
In a statement, Netanyahu reaffirmed the “unbreakable alliance” between Israel and the United States. Trump echoed this sentiment, calling U.S.-Israel relations “tremendously strong” and framing diplomacy as the preferred path, while keeping military options on the table.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
Trump is looking to start something he will call “WAR” with Iran and all the disaster that portends solely for the purpose to use that action in order to call off our mid-term elections in November. He is undoubtedly calling on Israel’s president Netanyahu to back him up regarding his plan to initiate such a war with Iran. The mid-term elections will hopefully change Congress from a Republican majority to a Democratic majority which would end Trump’s control over that body of wimps. He would undoubtedly be impeached; and this time the Democratic majority Senate would hopefully have the guts to indict and send him to trial/jail for his unconstitutional and criminal actions while in office. God help us.