The United States Navy has ordered the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford to leave the Caribbean Sea and join the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group near Iran.
The deployment comes amid concerns over Iran’s military activities and broader instability in the Middle East.
President Trump has made an earlier announcement that a second American aircraft carrier will soon be deployed to the region.
“In case we don’t make a deal, we’ll need it. If we don’t have a deal, we’ll need it. If we have a deal, we could cut it short. It’ll be leaving. It’ll be leaving very soon. We have one out there that just arrived. If we need it, we’ll have it ready.”
U.S Deploys Massive Firepower in the Middle East
According to reports, Gerald R. Ford, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the US Navy, is set to cross the Atlantic to join the Abraham Lincoln in the region.
Once Gerald Ford arrives in the region, the US will have two aircraft carrier strike groups operating in proximity, including 15 destroyers, several nuclear-powered submarines, and over 600 Tomahawk missiles.
Also Read: Trump Dared by Foreign Military Leader to Go to War
These ships provide both defensive and offensive capabilities, from anti-aircraft defense to missile strikes.
| Asset Type | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Air Base / Port | 1 |
| Aircraft Carriers | 2 |
| Destroyers | 15 |
| Command Ships | 3 |
| USNS/MSC | 4 |
| Submarines | 4 |
| Combat Support | 3 |
| Other Assets | 2 |
The President, on February 12, signaled that the U.S. is prepared to take decisive action should Iran fail to comply with the former’s demands.
He issued a fresh warning to Iran, saying failure to reach a nuclear agreement with Washington could lead to a “very traumatic” outcome.
“We have to make a deal, otherwise it’s going to be very traumatic. Very traumatic. I don’t want that to happen, but we have to make a deal. They should have made a deal the first time, and they got Midnight Hammer instead. And this will be very traumatic for Iran if they don’t make a deal. Look, if they don’t make a deal, then it’ll be a different story,” Trump said.
U.S. forces last week intercepted an Iranian drone approaching the Lincoln, the same day Iran attempted to stop a U.S.-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
Also Read: On the Brink? Trump Advisers Warn Iran Deal ‘Difficult’ Amid U.S. Military Preparations
U.S. Prepares for Extended Military Operations
Reports indicate the U.S. military is getting ready for possible long-term combat operations against Iran if the president gives the order.
Earlier on, two US officials confirmed that plans are being made for a possible weeks-long campaign. They said these preparations show rising concern that diplomacy might not work.
When asked about the chance of extended military action, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said this week, “President Trump has all options on the table about Iran.”
She added, “He listens to a variety of perspectives on any given issue, but makes the final decision based on what is best for our country and national security.”
Last year, the United States sent two aircraft carriers to the region during a period of tension, including the June strike on Iranian nuclear sites called “Midnight Hammer.”
That operation was mostly a single-phase attack using stealth bombers from the U.S. Iran answered with a limited strike on a U.S. base in Qatar.
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