U.S. aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln arrives in Middle East as Trump weighs options on Iran
- SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Washington, Jan 26 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – A U.S. aircraft carrier and supporting warships have arrived in the Middle East, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Monday, expanding President Donald Trump’s capabilities to defend U.S. forces or potentially take military action against Iran.
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers have crossed into the Middle East region under the U.S. military’s Central Command, the officials said.
Trump said last week that an “armada” was heading toward Iran, adding he hoped he would not have to use it.
The warships began deploying from the Asia-Pacific region earlier this month as tensions between Iran and the United States escalated following a crackdown on protests across Iran. Trump had threatened to intervene if Iranian authorities continued killing protesters, but the demonstrations have since abated.
The U.S. military has, at times of heightened tension, surged forces into the Middle East in moves described as defensive. It also staged a major build-up last year ahead of June strikes against Iran’s nuclear program.
In addition to the carrier and warships, the Pentagon is moving fighter jets and air-defense systems to the Middle East. Over the weekend, the U.S. military announced an exercise in the region “to demonstrate the ability to deploy, disperse, and sustain combat airpower”.
A senior Iranian official warned last week that Tehran would treat any attack as an “all-out war”.
The United Arab Emirates said on Monday it will not allow its airspace, territory or territorial waters to be used for hostile military actions against Iran. The U.S. military’s Al Dhafra Air Base, south of Abu Dhabi, has been a key U.S. Air Force hub supporting missions against Islamic State and reconnaissance deployments across the region.
Source: Reuters
