In response to escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran that threaten to destabilize the region, the U.S. Navy is sending a second carrier strike group, which includes the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier, to the Middle East. The USS Nimitz, accompanied by its nine air squadrons and support from five destroyers, is transitioning from the South China Sea to join the USS Carl Vinson strike group already operating in the Arabian Sea. This deployment follows a larger military reinforcement, which includes the repositioning of U.S. Air Force refueling planes to Europe and a strategic move of destroyers closer to Israel.
The conflict has already claimed the lives of over 200 people in Iran and more than 20 in Israel as the Israeli military launched unexpected operations against Iran's military leadership and nuclear sites. President Donald Trump has released conflicting statements regarding the crisis; while expressing a desire to negotiate, he acknowledges the possibility of further military confrontations. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Monday that he had ordered the introduction of additional defensive measures to the Middle East, though the specific capabilities deployed remain undisclosed.
Reports indicate that Trump has become increasingly supportive of Israel's military actions in recent days, although he has opposed a specific Israeli proposal to target Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In a recent social media update, he urged immediate evacuation of Tehran and reiterated the stance that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons, emphasizing the necessity for a nuclear agreement with the U.S. Furthermore, the military responses occur against a backdrop of unwavering support from Trump for Israel's extensive military operations in Gaza, which have been facilitated by the U.S. vetoing peace resolutions at the United Nations.
The USS Nimitz, which was commissioned in 1975, is the Navy's oldest aircraft carrier and is scheduled to be retired in 2026. Known for its impressive size at nearly 1,100 feet in length, Nimitz-class carriers are capable of continuous operations for up to 20 years without refueling due to their nuclear-powered technology.
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