The Pentagon has reportedly ordered a second aircraft carrier strike group to prepare to deploy to the Middle East in support of potential military action against Iran.
President Trump has not yet given the carrier group the greenlight to deploy, but an order could be issued “in a matter of hours,” the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday night, citing US officials.
The deployment would likely come from the US East Coast, and one carrier is being prepped to head out to sea in two weeks, an official told the publication.
The USS George H.W. Bush is currently conducting training exercises off the coast of Virginia and could be the carrier that ends up deploying.
The warship is capable of launching F-35 stealth fighter jets, which would likely be needed for a strike inside Iran, according to the outlet.
The ship would join the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group that is already in the region.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to use military force against Iran over the regime’s killing of protesters and refusal to dismantle its nuclear program.
The president has warned of a “massive flotilla” or “big armada” heading toward Iran several times since last month and as recently as Tuesday.
Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House Wednesday to discuss a possible attack on Iran.
“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 following the sitdown.
“If it can, I let the Prime Minister know that will be a preference. If it cannot, we will just have to see what the outcome will be,” the president continued. “Last time Iran decided that they were better off not making a Deal, and they were hit with Midnight Hammer — That did not work well for them. Hopefully this time they will be more reasonable and responsible.”
Netanyahu reportedly brought intelligence material to the meeting intended to convince Trump to target Iran’s ballistic missile stockpiles if he decides to attack, Israeli news outlet i24News reported.
If a second carrier is deployed to the Middle East, it would mark the first time multiple carriers have been in the region since the March 2025 US military operation against the Houthis in Yemen, according to the Journal.
The White House and Pentagon did not immediately respond to The Post’s requests for comment.
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