WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon has sent a significant amount of U.S. military resources into the Middle East recently, including an aircraft carrier group and thousands of troops, as President Donald Trump signals a readiness to engage militarily with Iran over its nuclear program and its treatment of protesters.
“We have a lot of very big, very powerful ships sailing to Iran right now, and it would be great if we didn’t have to use them,” Trump said on Thursday.
This military build-up follows Trump's earlier warnings of possible action if Iran continues mass executions of prisoners or violence against peaceful demonstrators. Trump claimed recently that Iran halted the executions of detained protesters, a statement dismissed as false by Iran's top prosecutor.
Trump maintains that Iran must negotiate concerning its nuclear activities, warning of severe repercussions if these discussions do not occur. This includes threats of a military response that could exceed previous strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Aircraft Carrier Strengthens U.S. Military Presence
The USS Abraham Lincoln, along with three guided-missile destroyers, has reached the Arabian Sea as part of efforts to reinforce the U.S. military's posture in the region. The carrier's arrival added approximately 5,700 service members to U.S. forces already stationed in the Middle East, which includes bases like Al Udeid in Qatar.
In addition, a new deployment of F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets has been announced as part of the enhanced military readiness, further supported by the UK's deployment of Typhoon jets to Qatar for defensive purposes.
These developments echo last year’s military maneuvers, which were anticipated in response to rising tensions with Iran, particularly after attacks on U.S. positions following airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Trump's Administration Maintains Firm Stance
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth highlighted that the U.S. military will be prepared to act as required, reinforcing the administration's stance on Iran's nuclear potential. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that the increased military presence is designed to safeguard American personnel from possible threats.
Trump's latest remarks to Iran included a call for an end to nuclear development and violence against protesters, following widespread unrest within Iran attributed to economic struggles and government repression.
The Trump administration, alongside the EU, has also enacted new sanctions targeting high-ranking Iranian officials in response to the ongoing crackdowns on protests.
