Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Feb 12: The US Department of Defense is preparing for the possible deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East within the next two weeks amid rising tensions with Iran, a leading American media outlet reported.
Citing US officials, The Wall Street Journal said the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, currently completing training exercises off the coast of Virginia, could be redirected to the region if required. However, President Donald Trump has not yet issued a formal order for the deployment, and the plan remains subject to change.
If approved, the carrier would join the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is already stationed in the Middle East. Such a move would mark the first time since March 2025 that two US aircraft carriers have operated simultaneously in the region. At that time, the USS Harry S. Truman and the USS Carl Vinson were deployed to counter Houthi rebel activities in Yemen.
The reported preparations come against the backdrop of renewed diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington. The two sides held indirect talks in Muscat, Oman, on Friday, their first negotiations since the United States carried out airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities in June last year.
Earlier this week, President Trump indicated he was considering dispatching a second carrier strike group to the region should diplomatic efforts fail. He suggested that military options remain on the table if negotiations with Iran do not yield a satisfactory agreement.
Meanwhile, Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, where discussions centered on Iran and the ongoing situation in Gaza. Describing the meeting as productive, Trump reaffirmed the strength of US-Israel ties.
“I have just finished meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, of Israel, and various of his Representatives. It was a very good meeting. The tremendous relationship between our two countries continues,” Trump said on Wednesday.
The meeting marked Netanyahu’s fifth visit to the White House since the start of Trump’s second term.
While underscoring that no final decisions have been made, Trump emphasized his preference for a diplomatic resolution with Tehran.
“There was nothing definitive reached other than I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a deal can be consummated. If it can, I let the Prime Minister know that it will be a preference. If it cannot, we will just have to see what the outcome will be,” he said.
Referring to previous hostilities, Trump added that Iran had declined a deal in the past and subsequently faced military consequences, expressing hope that Tehran would adopt a more constructive approach in the current round of talks.