The Trump administration has decided to deploy a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East, along with a second Marine division, a US official told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt and an additional division of US Marines are currently en route to the Middle East for an extended deployment. The Roosevelt departed from San Francisco on Sunday.
A day later, the USS Makin Island amphibious ready group also departed San Diego, carrying the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The force includes about 2,200 Marines and personnel in the expeditionary unit, along with about 2,000 sailors aboard the group's three ships.
According to the latest deployment picture, two aircraft carriers are already operating in the Arabian Sea: the USS George Washington, which arrived in the region in mid-August, and the USS George H.W. Bush. Both are operating as part of carrier strike groups that include fighter aircraft and escort vessels, supporting US operations in the region.
Notably, US Naval Institute News reported that the Roosevelt was moving to US Central Command's area of operations in order to relieve the Washington.
Trump deploys third US aircraft carrier to Middle East
In addition, the USS Boxer amphibious ready group is deployed in the Arabian Sea, carrying the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, alongside the USS Portland and USS Comstock.
The move means that, until the US midterm elections, US President Donald Trump will have significantly greater military capabilities and a wider range of options for potential action against Iran.