The US military command overseeing American forces in the Middle East just picked up a third aircraft carrier, increasing its available firepower.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush is currently in the Indian Ocean and within US Central Command’s area of responsibility. The other two carriers in the area are the first in a new class of carriers, USS Gerald. R. Ford, and USS Abraham Lincoln.
The new carrier’s arrival in the area comes amid faltering negotiations between Iran and the US and continued challenges in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a major oil artery.
CENTCOM, which largely oversees American forces in the Middle East, announced the Bush’s arrival in the Indian Ocean on Thursday. The carrier departed Virginia in late March and sailed around the coast of Africa. Meanwhile, the first-in-class Ford returned to the Red Sea after repairs in Croatia, continuing its record-breaking deployment after a serious fire.
The Abraham Lincoln is in the Arabian Sea supporting the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade is being enforced by over 10,000 US troops, over 100 fighters, rotary wing aircraft, surveillance planes, and over 17 warships, including guided-missile destroyers.
So far, the US has redirected over 30 vessels to turn around or return to port. Most of those boats have been oil tankers. The US has also interdicted non-compliant Iranian-flagged vessels. On Sunday, Navy destroyer USS Spruance turned its deck gun on the M/V Touska, disabling it by putting several rounds through the cargo ship’s engine room.
Both the Lincoln and Ford, the latter of which was involved in Operation Absolute Resolve in Venezuela, were in CENTCOM’s area of responsibility during the initial weeks of the US war against Iran, generating aircraft sorties and supporting US strikes on Iranian targets, including command and control, missile and drone systems, and defense industrial base infrastructure.
US Navy aircraft carriers bring the combat power of their air wings to any fight. They’re capable of launching dozens of strike aircraft carrying precision-guided munitions, which are backed by electronic warfare jets, early warning aircraft, and, in many cases, a carrier strike group’s missiles and defenses.
The US military began moving combat vessels and aircraft into and around the Middle East before the start of Operation Epic Fury, marking the largest buildup of American forces in the region since 2003 amid efforts to pressure Iranian leadership.
It remains unclear whether the US will resume combat operations against Iran. Negotiations collapsed this week, leaving a fragile ceasefire in doubt as Iran renewed attacks on commercial vessels and the US continues its blockade of Iranian ports. Tehran has said the blockade is an obstacle to further talks.
Beyond the blockade, the US military is also engaged in mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz. On Thursday, President Donald Trump said he had ordered the US military to “shoot and kill” any Iranian boats laying mines in the strait.
Trump also said there’s “no time pressure” in talks with Iran and “no time frame” on ending the war.
