Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that the Pentagon is preparing to deploy a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East, a move that underscores mounting tensions with Iran even as Washington insists it prefers a negotiated solution.
The announcement came after U.S. officials disclosed that the Department of Defense had instructed a second carrier strike group to prepare for potential deployment to the region. Trump subsequently confirmed the development on his Truth Social platform, sharing a report from The Wall Street Journal and writing: “The Pentagon is preparing to deploy a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East.”
According to U.S. officials cited in the report, the Pentagon directed the second strike group to get ready as American forces brace for the possibility of military action against Iran. However, the officials initially noted that Trump had not yet issued a formal deployment order and that plans could still change. The president’s public statement appeared to solidify the move.
One U.S. official said the Pentagon is preparing to send an aircraft carrier within two weeks, possibly from the U.S. East Coast, to join the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is already operating in the region. The USS George H.W. Bush, currently completing a series of exercises off the coast of Virginia, could accelerate the conclusion of those drills if ordered to deploy.
Carrier strike groups represent one of the most powerful tools in the U.S. military arsenal. A senior U.S. Navy official noted that such carriers are capable of launching and recovering electronic warfare aircraft, reconnaissance planes, and strike aircraft, including the carrier-based variant of the F-35 stealth fighter jet. Their presence significantly enhances U.S. airpower, surveillance, and rapid response capabilities.
The latest move follows a broader U.S. military buildup in the region in recent weeks. Washington has already reinforced its presence by redeploying the USS Abraham Lincoln from the South China Sea, along with additional warships, air defense systems, and fighter squadrons. The reinforcements come amid heightened concerns over Iran’s regional activities and its nuclear program.
Tehran, for its part, signaled that it is closely monitoring the situation. Iran’s Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, said on Thursday that Iranian forces are tracking “enemy movements around the clock.” He added that “what they fear most is the Iranian people,” while emphasizing that the navy’s priority remains securing the country’s economic maritime routes and safeguarding commercial shipping.
The developments unfold against a backdrop of diplomatic engagement as well as military posturing. On Wednesday, Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House for three hours of talks that included discussions on Iran and the status of negotiations.
Following the meeting, Trump reiterated that he favors reaching an agreement with Tehran. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: “I insisted that negotiations with Tehran continue to see whether an agreement can be reached. If we can, I told Netanyahu that would be my preferred option. If we do not reach an agreement, we’ll see what happens.”
The president has repeatedly warned that the United States retains a military option if diplomacy fails. Yet he has also described the first round of talks between American and Iranian delegations in Oman last week as “very good,” suggesting cautious optimism about the possibility of progress on the nuclear file.
Analysts say the dual-track strategy strengthening military deterrence while keeping diplomatic channels open, reflects Washington’s attempt to maintain leverage. Deploying additional naval power sends a clear signal of readiness, while public support for continued negotiations aims to keep the door open for de-escalation.
Whether the reinforced U.S. presence will deter confrontation or further inflame tensions remains uncertain. Much will depend on the trajectory of ongoing talks and the calculations in both Washington and Tehran. For now, the arrival of a second carrier strike group would mark a significant escalation in U.S. force posture in a region already on edge.
