U.S. Sends Second Aircraft Carrier to Middle East Amid Iran Tensions
The United States is deploying the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier to the Middle East, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln already stationed in the Arabian Sea, a U.S. Official confirmed Friday. The move comes as President Donald Trump seeks to increase pressure on Iran regarding its nuclear program and following indirect talks between the two nations in Oman last week.
The deployment will place two of the world’s most advanced aircraft carriers and their accompanying warships in the region, bolstering the U.S. Military presence as tensions remain high. The USS Abraham Lincoln and its guided-missile destroyers arrived in the area more than two weeks ago.
The decision follows a warning from President Trump to Tehran that failure to reach an agreement would be “very traumatic.” He indicated a timeline of roughly a month for progress in negotiations, stating, “It should happen quickly. They should agree very quickly.”
World’s Most Powerful Carrier
The USS Gerald R. Ford, considered the world’s most powerful and advanced aircraft carrier, was previously stationed in the Mediterranean before being dispatched to the Caribbean in October as part of a broader military buildup. This buildup preceded last month’s operation that led to the capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro.
The Ford has been at sea since late June 2025, meaning the crew of approximately 4,500 will have been deployed for eight months by the end of February. The carrier boasts a displacement of 100,000 tonnes and a length of 334 metres, with a flight deck capable of accommodating over 75 aircraft, typically operating with an air wing of 60-70.
Key features of the Ford include the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), enabling up to 160 sorties per day – a significant increase compared to the 120 sorties possible on older carriers. Its air wing comprises F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters, EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, E-2D Hawkeye early warning aircraft, and MH-60 helicopters.
Powered by A1B nuclear reactors, the Ford possesses virtually unlimited range and an estimated service life of 50 years. These reactors generate enough energy to power a city of 100,000 inhabitants. The ship’s defense systems include missile launchers, Phalanx cannons, and state-of-the-art anti-missile batteries.
The duration of the Middle East deployment remains uncertain, but it will result in an extended period away from home port for the crew.
Tehran Faces Further Internal Pressure
Meanwhile, Iran is grappling with continued domestic unrest following a violent crackdown on nationwide protests that occurred in late December and early January. This discontent is expected to intensify as families of those killed in the crackdown begin traditional 40-day mourning ceremonies.
Online videos depict mourners gathering across the country, displaying portraits of the deceased. One video reportedly shows mourners at a cemetery in Razavi Khorasan province singing “Ey Iran,” a patriotic song originating from pre-revolutionary Iran.
The protests initially erupted on December 28, 2025, triggered by a currency collapse and persistent hyperinflation, but quickly evolved into widespread anti-regime demonstrations. This prompted a severe crackdown by Tehran and a near-total information blockade.
Human rights organizations and sources within Iran estimate that between 6,000 and 30,000 people may have been killed, although precise casualty figures remain difficult to ascertain. Authorities have also detained tens of thousands of individuals across the country.
President Trump previously urged Iranians to continue protesting, stating, “help is on the way.” However, he has refrained from intervention following a resumption of U.S.-Iran talks and what Washington described as a pledge from Tehran to halt the crackdown, including any executions of arrested demonstrators.
Regional Concerns and Potential Responses
The deployment comes as Gulf Arab nations have cautioned that military action could escalate into another regional conflict, particularly given the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, tensions in Lebanon, the fragile peace in Syria, and the Israel-Iran conflict last summer.
Israeli airstrikes and covert operations significantly degraded Iran’s air defenses during the 12-day conflict in June, but did not completely neutralize its missile capabilities or target its extensive army.
Should hostilities resume, Iran would likely employ its remaining missile arsenal against Israel and U.S. Bases in the region, potentially targeting oil infrastructure and mining the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil transport.
Iran’s military comprises approximately 600,000 regular troops and 200,000 in the paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). However, proxy forces such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthi rebels in Yemen have been weakened by recent fighting, raising questions about their ability to support Tehran.
Iran’s air force is also considered relatively outdated, with its older F-14 and MiG-29 fighters outmatched by the advanced F-35 stealth fighters used by the U.S. And Israel.
