Lates News

According to three U.S. officials who spoke to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. Department of Defense has instructed the second aircraft carrier strike group to prepare for deployment to the Middle East as the U.S. military prepares for a possible attack on Iran. An official indicated that deployment orders could be issued within hours. President Trump stated on Tuesday that he is considering sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East in response to potential military action if negotiations with Iran fail. Officials cautioned Trump that the deployment of the second aircraft carrier has not been formally ordered and plans could change. One official stated that the Pentagon is preparing for one aircraft carrier to deploy within two weeks, possibly departing from the U.S. East Coast. The aircraft carrier "George H.W. Bush" is currently conducting a series of training exercises near the coast of Virginia, and this deployment could accelerate these exercises. If the second aircraft carrier is deployed to the Middle East, it would be the first time in nearly a year that two aircraft carriers have been present in the region.