The USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, has been directed to move from the Caribbean to the Middle East as President Donald Trump weighs potential military action against Iran, according to a source familiar with the situation.
This relocation of the USS Ford, reported earlier by the New York Times, involves two aircraft carriers and a support warship heading to the region as Trump intensifies efforts regarding Iran’s nuclear program. The source requested anonymity when discussing military logistics.
Meanwhile, the USS Abraham Lincoln, along with three guided missile destroyers, has already been stationed in the Middle East for over two weeks.
This rapid deployment contrasts with the USS Ford’s previous assignment; it had been sent from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean last October, amid increased military activity leading up to the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro last month.
Interestingly, this shift doesn’t quite align with Trump’s national security strategy, which tends to focus more on the Western Hemisphere than other parts of the globe.
On Thursday, Trump cautioned Iran that a failure to strike a deal with his administration would be “very traumatic.” Indirect discussions between the U.S. and Iran took place in Oman the prior week.
When asked about the timeline for negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, Trump expressed optimism, stating, “That will happen within the next month. It should happen soon. They should agree soon.”
Earlier in the week, Trump mentioned the possibility of sending a second carrier strike group to the Middle East.
During a recent discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump emphasized the importance of continuing negotiations with Iran.
Netanyahu has urged the U.S. to pressure Tehran to reduce its ballistic missile activities and diminish support for militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah as part of the negotiations.
The USS Ford began its deployment in late June 2025, suggesting the crew will have been deployed for eight months in just a couple of weeks.
It remains uncertain how long the carrier will stay in the Middle East, but this deployment indicates that the crew should prepare for an extended assignment.
The White House has not responded to inquiries regarding this situation.
