The United States is sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran, U.S. media outlets reported on Thursday, 12 February, in an effort to reinforce its naval presence as diplomatic efforts falter.
The nuclear‑powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its escort ships are being redeployed from the Caribbean to the Middle East.
The Gerald R. Ford departed Norfolk, Virginia, in June for a deployment originally intended to include European waters, but it was rerouted to the Caribbean to support broader U.S. military operations. This included the involvement of the Ford’s aircraft in a January operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
Four U.S. officials told The New York Times that the ship’s crew was informed of the decision on Thursday and that the Gerald R. Ford battle group is now unlikely to return to its home port until late April or early May.
The move comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly weighed sending another carrier if negotiations with Iran on a nuclear deal do not yield results.
“We have to make a deal, otherwise it’s going to be very traumatic, very traumatic,” Trump told reporters, while suggesting a diplomatic solution might still be possible.
The deployment underscores continued strains between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear programme and broader regional influence, even as indirect talks have taken place in Oman with little breakthrough reported.
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U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington is not seeking an extension of its memorandum of understanding with Iran, claiming the U.S. already controls the Strait of Hormuz through its naval blockade.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Ukraine has targeted at least 20 Wildberries warehouses across Russia since 18 July, disrupting a major logistics network. Kyiv says the strikes aim to disrupt alleged military-linked supplies, while the attacks have caused billions of dollars in losses and wider economic pressure.
South Korea's presidential Blue House said on Monday it was reviewing U.S. President Donald Trump's comments on scaling back joint military drills. It added that it hoped a favourable relationship between Washington and Pyongyang could lead to meaningful talks.
Russia said its air defences downed 180 drones over the Moscow region overnight, with 620 drones reportedly targeting the area, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
Azerbaijan’s strategic rise is turning it from a transit state into a regional rule-setter, with the Middle Corridor giving Baku growing influence far beyond its size, analyst Ahmad Alili says.
Kyrgyzstan is seeking to boost fuel imports from China as it looks to diversify supplies and reduce the risks of its heavy reliance on Russia.
At least 42 children were injured in an explosion at an educational centre in western Kabul on Monday, sparking international calls for a full investigation.
Uzbekistan could lose up to $1.5 billion if escalating Middle East tensions disrupt vital trade and logistics routes through Iran, putting pressure on supply chains and the wider economy.
Azerbaijan has summoned Russia’s ambassador in Baku over recent Russian media comments it described as insulting, provocative and threatening towards the country, its people and leadership.
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