In a significant military move amid rising tensions with Iran, the United States has ordered the deployment of its newest and largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Middle East, multiple US media outlets reported late on Friday.
The nuclear-powered Ford-class carrier and its escort ships are sailing from the Caribbean Sea to join the already-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and other warships in the Persian Gulf, significantly bolstering American naval firepower in the region.
Officials familiar with the plans say the Gerald R. Ford and its battle group are not expected to return home before late April or early May, marking an extended deployment for the carrier and its crew.
Why The Move?
The redeployment comes as President Donald Trump increases pressure on Tehran amid stalled talks over Iran's nuclear programme and regional activities. Trump has publicly stated that the United States "has to make a deal" with Iran but has also warned of "very traumatic" consequences if diplomacy fails.
The presence of two US carrier strike groups - a rare concentration of naval power - is widely seen as both a deterrent and a strategic signal to Iran and its allies in the region. The Lincoln and its destroyers have been in the Middle East since January.
Regional And Global Impact
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Washington's reinforcement, saying it could help create the conditions for a negotiated settlement and avert military confrontation.
However, the move has raised concerns among Gulf states and global defence analysts about the potential for escalation if diplomatic channels do not achieve a breakthrough.
The deployment underscores the US commitment to safeguarding its interests and partners in a region that remains highly volatile, even as leaders keep diplomatic doors open.
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