US President Donald Trump has officially announced that the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is moving toward the Iranian coast.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that while commenting on the move, the White House leader stated, "We hope that there will be no need to use this force."
US Navy officials confirmed that the military forces were withdrawn from the South China Sea and transferred to the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea lines. Classified intelligence reports published by the New York Times emphasize that the Iranian leadership is experiencing one of its most fragile periods in recent years.
The actions of the United States are not limited to Iran. Washington has also dispatched additional aircraft carriers and amphibious groups to the Indo-Pacific region. This strategic movement comes amid heightened geopolitical competition in the Middle East and Asia, where the U.S. seeks to maintain maritime security and deter potential regional escalations. The deployment of such significant naval assets typically serves as a projection of power intended to stabilize volatile corridors and reassure regional allies.
Composition of the military arsenal in the region:
- USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its accompanying cruiser USS Mobile Bay;
- Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, including the USS Roosevelt;
- Hundreds of Tomahawk cruise missiles and Standard Missile air defense systems;
- F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters, and EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft.
Beijing's reaction to this activity has further increased tensions. According to reports, the Chinese leadership plans to send its own destroyers and submarines to the region to provide logistical support to Tehran and protect supply lines.
Military experts believe that one of the primary goals of the United States is to block any civilian or military aid that may come from China during a possible operation against Iran. Currently, US air power in the region is concentrated at Al Udeid in Qatar, the 5th Fleet base in Bahrain, and military facilities in Jordan. Additionally, Patriot and THAAD air defense systems have been deployed to the region against possible missile attacks.
The Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz remain critical chokepoints for global energy supplies, making any military buildup in these waters a matter of international economic concern. Historically, the presence of US carrier strike groups in the Arabian Sea has been a cornerstone of Western security architecture in the Middle East, aimed at ensuring the free flow of commerce through the region's vital waterways.
