Washington signals credible military escalation risk as Iran nuclear talks hang in the balance.
There has been plenty of chatter about on this, firming up now. Wall Street Journal reporting.
Summary
Pentagon orders a second carrier strike group to prepare for possible Middle East deployment.
Donald Trump weighing move as pressure builds on Iran nuclear talks.
USS Abraham Lincoln already operating in the region.
Second carrier could deploy within two weeks, potentially from the U.S. East Coast.
Two-carrier posture would be first since March 2025 during operations against Houthi forces.
The Pentagon has instructed a second aircraft carrier strike group to prepare for deployment to the Middle East, as Washington intensifies pressure on Iran amid fragile nuclear negotiations.
While no final order has been signed, officials say the directive could be issued at short notice. President Donald Trump has publicly confirmed he is considering sending additional naval assets if talks with Tehran fail to produce a deal.
The USS Abraham Lincoln is already operating in the region after transiting from the South China Sea, accompanied by added warships, air defence systems and fighter squadrons. A second carrier, potentially the USS George H.W. Bush, currently completing training exercises off Virginia, could be expedited and deployed within two weeks, according to officials familiar with the planning.
Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House this week, with Iran central to discussions. The president signalled he still prefers a negotiated outcome but made clear military options remain on the table if diplomacy stalls.
A dual-carrier presence would mark the first such posture in the Middle East since March 2025, when the USS Harry S. Truman and USS Carl Vinson operated simultaneously during operations targeting Yemen-based Houthi forces.
The Navy declined to comment on operational movements, citing security concerns.
I'll probably get grief in the comments for posting a pic of the wrong vessel .... Bring it! ;-)
