As US President Donald Trump considers potential military action against Iran, the United States has ordered the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, to sail from the Caribbean Sea to the Middle East.
The deployment will place two US aircraft carriers and their accompanying warships in the region, significantly strengthening America’s military presence. The move comes as Washington increases pressure on Tehran to negotiate a deal over its nuclear programme.
The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, along with three guided-missile destroyers, arrived in West Asia more than two weeks ago. The addition of the USS Gerald R. Ford signals heightened strategic readiness amid rising regional tensions.
The USS Ford had previously been deployed to the Caribbean after operating in the Mediterranean Sea last October. The carrier had been part of a broader military build-up ahead of the surprise operation that led to the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
The carrier set out on deployment in late June 2025, meaning its crew will have been deployed for nearly eight months. While officials have not specified how long the USS Ford will remain in the Middle East, the move suggests a potentially extended deployment period.
The latest military repositioning underscores growing geopolitical tensions and highlights Washington’s dual approach of maintaining diplomatic engagement while reinforcing its military posture in the region.
