Trump takes major action amid rising Iran tensions, US sends its largest warship USS Gerald R. Ford to the Gulf region
Washington (The Uttam Hindu): Tensions between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program have reached a highly sensitive stage. Despite ongoing diplomatic contacts, the situation continues to escalate. In this backdrop, US President Donald Trump has confirmed that America’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, is being deployed with full military support to the strategically important Middle East region. President Trump has repeatedly issued strong warnings to Iran, clearly indicating that military options remain on the table.
No deal means tough steps: Donald Trump
Responding to questions about the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, President Trump stated that the warship would be heading to its operational zone shortly. He said in clear terms that if no concrete agreement is reached with Iran, the United States will need such a deployment. According to media reports, the aircraft carrier, which was earlier involved in operations near Venezuela, has now moved directly toward the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea region.
Protests in Iran and stalled talks add to tensions
Recent large-scale protests in Iran, followed by a harsh crackdown ordered by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have further strained relations between Washington and Tehran. The US has reiterated that if Iran does not accept its conditions regarding the nuclear program, it will face serious consequences. Last week’s indirect talks between the two sides in Oman failed to produce any breakthrough, leading to growing dissatisfaction in Washington. It is also believed that this decision came after detailed discussions between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Unprecedented US show of force in the Arabian Sea
According to US defense officials, the move aims to project American military strength amid stalled nuclear negotiations and rising regional instability. The guided-missile aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is already deployed in the Arabian Sea. Notably, a US warship had shot down an Iranian drone in the region just last week. With the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group, including guided-missile destroyers and surveillance aircraft, US naval power in the region will increase significantly, placing simultaneous diplomatic and military pressure on Iran.