["George H.W. Bush" Aircraft Carrier Expected to Head to the Middle East]
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, citing three anonymous U.S. officials, the Pentagon has informed the U.S. Navy to prepare for deploying the second aircraft carrier to the Middle East for regional deployment in preparation for a potential attack on Iran.
Recently, Trump explicitly stated that he might send another aircraft carrier battle group to the Middle East to further pressure Iran. However, according to sources, although Trump made such statements, he has not yet given final authorization. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has already started preparing for this, and once Trump gives the order, the carrier will be deployed immediately.
According to sources, the Pentagon is preparing to dispatch the carrier directly from the U.S. East Coast, which will cross the Atlantic, enter the Mediterranean, pass through the Suez Canal, and head to the Middle East to exert greater pressure on Iran. The carrier is currently conducting military exercises near the U.S. East Coast. If it receives Trump's command, the Pentagon will issue the deployment order, and it is expected to arrive in the Middle East within the next two weeks.
The last time the U.S. deployed two aircraft carriers in the Middle East was in March of last year, when the U.S. mainly aimed to strike the Houthi rebels. Currently, the "Lincoln" is stationed near Iran, along with about ten warships, forming a formidable naval and air strike force. If the "George H.W. Bush" carrier battle group joins, the strike capability is expected to increase significantly.
It now depends on whether Trump will actually issue the order for the "George H.W. Bush" aircraft carrier to deploy. If Trump sees no prospect of reaching an agreement between the U.S. and Iran in the coming days, the situation may rapidly escalate.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1856915273089032/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.