The United States is moving to reinforce its military presence in the Middle East following renewed tensions with Iran, according to US media reports published on Thursday.
Fox News, citing sources within the administration of Donald Trump, reported that at least one aircraft carrier, believed to be the USS Abraham Lincoln along with its carrier strike group, is sailing from the South China Sea towards the Middle East. The deployment is expected to be completed within approximately one week.
Additional weapons systems and defensive assets are also expected to follow, including air defence components and fighter aircraft. The news was independently confirmed by Axios, which likewise reported that the carrier is heading towards the region.
So far, the Pentagon has not officially confirmed the deployment to the area of responsibility of US Central Command (CENTCOM).
President Trump has not ruled out military options following his public warnings to Iran, set against the backdrop of the regime’s harsh crackdown on mass protests since late December. According to reporting by The New York Times, several Arab states, and even Israel, urged Washington to refrain from military escalation.
What is the USS Abraham Lincoln?
The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is among the largest and most powerful aircraft carriers in the United States Navy. A Nimitz-class, nuclear-powered carrier, it is a central instrument of US power projection worldwide.
Key facts
- Type: Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
- Class: Nimitz
- Length: Approx. 333 metres
- Displacement: Over 100,000 tonnes
- Crew: Around 5,000 personnel, including air wing staff
- Propulsion: Two nuclear reactors, allowing years of operation without refuelling
Role and capabilities
The USS Abraham Lincoln functions as a floating air base, carrying dozens of fighter jets, helicopters and support aircraft capable of striking targets at long range, enforcing control zones and supporting complex military operations.
As the flagship of a carrier strike group, it is accompanied by cruisers, destroyers and submarines, forming one of the most formidable naval formations in the world.
The carrier has been deployed repeatedly to regions of heightened tension. In August 2024, it was sent to the Middle East as part of the US response to escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, sending a clear signal of deterrence.
With information from ANA-MPA