World · 14 February 2026
US deploys second aircraft carrier to Middle East in show of force over Iran
President Donald Trump has ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford — the US Navy’s largest aircraft carrier — to relocate from the Caribbean to the Middle East to increase pressure on Iran amid tense nuclear negotiations and stalled diplomacy. The move will see the Ford join other American warships already in the region, signalling a significant military buildup. Trump said the deployment is intended to reinforce deterrence while pursuing a deal, but Iranian resistance to terms remains strong.
Reported by The Washington Post · How we write briefs