US Iran tensions are intensifying as President Donald Trump reportedly weighs military escalation while Washington prepares a possible second aircraft carrier strike group deployment to the Middle East.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the Pentagon has ordered a second aircraft carrier to be placed on readiness for potential deployment. If approved, it would join the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group already operating in the wider Middle East region.
USS George H.W. Bush in possible deployment
The nuclear-powered USS George H.W. Bush is considered the most likely vessel for the mission, as it completes exercises off the coast of Virginia. Although a deployment order has not yet been issued, US media suggest this could occur within hours.
Even with an immediate decision, transferring a strike group from the US East Coast to the Mediterranean or Red Sea via the Atlantic and Suez Canal would take weeks. Analysts estimate the ships could not assume full operational position before mid-March.
Air power reinforcement in the region
Movement has also been observed in tactical air forces. Six F-35A fighter jets from the Vermont Air National Guard departed RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom heading, according to flight data, towards Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. Additional aircraft in Spain may also redeploy there.
The region already hosts F-15E Strike Eagles, A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft and E/A-18G Growlers for electronic warfare. The USS Abraham Lincoln carries F-35C and F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, while US presence includes at least nine warships – among them Arleigh Burke-class destroyers – and more than 30,000 troops across regional bases.
Military analysts say deploying a second strike group would significantly strengthen US deterrence, as the current force posture is viewed as marginal for a prolonged large-scale operation.
Trump–Netanyahu White House meeting
At the same time, Trump held a three-hour meeting at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Reports indicate Netanyahu sought assurances that any agreement with Iran would include an explicit halt to its nuclear programme and limits on ballistic capabilities.
Following the meeting, Trump said on Truth Social that he preferred a negotiated solution but did not rule out military action if talks fail. He also referenced last June’s “Midnight Hammer” strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, signalling the possibility of similar action if deemed necessary.
Deterrence signal or path to conflict
Regardless of the final decision, reports of a second aircraft carrier already function as strategic pressure on Tehran. The concentration of forces raises deterrence levels but also increases the risk of miscalculation or accidental escalation.
The coming period is expected to prove critical as Washington attempts to balance diplomacy and military power in one of the world’s most sensitive geopolitical regions.
Also read: Iran nuclear talks as Trump meets Netanyahu
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