Trump Confirms Second Aircraft Carrier Deployment to Middle East in Signal to Iran
President shares Pentagon report on social media as tensions escalate following Netanyahu meeting
President Trump confirmed Thursday that the Pentagon is preparing to deploy a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East, endorsing a report in The Wall Street Journal in his signature style and sending a pointed message to Iran.
Trump shared the Journal's report on his Truth Social platform, writing the headline: "Pentagon Preparing to Send Another Aircraft Carrier."
According to the report, the USS George H.W. Bush has been designated as the carrier that could be sent to the region within the next two weeks. The vessel is currently completing training exercises off the coast of Virginia and may accelerate their completion to prepare for redeployment.
Earlier this week, Trump told reporter Barak Ravid that he was considering sending an additional aircraft carrier to the Middle East along with its strike group, which includes several destroyers. "We have an armada there and maybe another one on the way," he said.
The Bush, like the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, is a Nimitz-class vessel powered by two nuclear reactors. It can carry dozens of aircraft and more than 10 helicopters, with approximately 5,500 American military personnel aboard.
The carrier can launch and land attack aircraft, electronic warfare planes and reconnaissance aircraft, including a variant of the F-35 stealth fighter, according to the Journal report. The carrier and its strike group also have air defense systems that could assist in the event of an Iranian response.
## First Dual Carrier Deployment in Nearly a Year
About two weeks ago, the USS Lincoln and its strike group arrived in the Middle East. The deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the region would mark the first time two American carriers have operated simultaneously in the Middle East in nearly a year, since the U.S. operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
In addition to the carrier and its strike group, five other U.S. warships are stationed in the Persian Gulf area, along with what is likely a nuclear submarine. Another U.S. warship is positioned in the Red Sea.
Alongside the American fleet in the region, a series of U.S. moves indicate increased readiness for escalation with Iran. Reuters reported that at the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, forces have positioned Patriot missiles on launch trucks, a step that would enable faster relocation.
Satellite imagery from U.S. bases across the Middle East also indicates the deployment of additional military aircraft in the region, including in Qatar, Oman and Jordan.
Additionally, the Journal reported last week that the Pentagon is moving additional air defense systems to the Middle East to protect American forces, Israel and friendly Arab states. According to the report, additional THAAD and Patriot systems have been deployed in Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The moves came shortly after Trump's three-hour meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, during which the president said negotiations with Iran would continue but warned Tehran of consequences if no deal is reached.