Pentagon prepares second carrier for Middle East as Trump issues Iran ultimatum

2026-02-12 - 08:35

The Pentagon is actively preparing a second aircraft carrier strike group for deployment to the Middle East, according to three U.S. officials cited by The Wall Street Journal. The move follows President Donald Trump's Tuesday remarks that he is weighing additional naval force projection in the region amid stalled nuclear negotiations with Iran. One official stated the deployment order could come "within hours," though Trump has not yet formally issued the directive. Rapid Mobilization Underway Military planners are readying the strike group for departure, likely from the East Coast, within a two-week window. The USS George H.W. Bush, currently conducting training exercises off Virginia, could see its drills expedited to accelerate readiness. The Pentagon declined to comment on the report. The USS Abraham Lincoln has already been repositioned from the South China Sea to the region, significantly amplifying America's military footprint. Trump's "Deal or Strike" Message Following a closed-door White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, Trump reiterated his preference for a negotiated settlement while leaving military action on the table. "There was nothing definitive reached other than I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a deal can be consummated," Trump posted on Truth Social. He reminded Tehran that rejecting terms during his previous administration triggered Operation Midnight Hammer—U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June—adding: "That did not work well for them. Hopefully this time they will be more reasonable and responsible."