U.S. Sends Second Aircraft Carrier to Middle East

The USS Gerald R. Ford will join the USS Abraham Lincoln in the region as tensions with Iran continue.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The United States will deploy the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, to the Middle East to join the USS Abraham Lincoln already stationed in the region. The move comes as the Biden administration continues efforts to coerce Iran into a deal over its nuclear program, with President Trump suggesting another round of talks with Iran was imminent. The deployment marks a quick turnaround for the Ford, which was previously sent to the Caribbean last year.

Why it matters

The deployment of two U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups to the Middle East signals a significant military buildup in the region, underscoring the Biden administration's determination to maintain pressure on Iran. This move could escalate tensions with Iran and raises concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict, especially as Iran faces internal unrest following a deadly crackdown on nationwide protests.

The details

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, will be deployed to the Middle East to join the USS Abraham Lincoln and its accompanying guided-missile destroyers already stationed in the Arabian Sea. The Ford's deployment comes after President Trump suggested another round of talks with Iran was imminent, though those negotiations did not materialize. The move marks a quick turnaround for the Ford, which was previously sent to the Caribbean last year as the administration built up a military presence ahead of a surprise raid in Venezuela.

  • The USS Gerald R. Ford is set to deploy to the Middle East in the coming weeks.
  • The USS Abraham Lincoln and its accompanying warships are already stationed in the Arabian Sea.

The players

USS Gerald R. Ford

The world's largest aircraft carrier, which is being deployed to the Middle East.

USS Abraham Lincoln

An aircraft carrier already stationed in the Arabian Sea with its accompanying guided-missile destroyers.

President Trump

The former U.S. president who suggested another round of talks with Iran was imminent, though those negotiations did not materialize.

Iran

The target of U.S. efforts to coerce into a deal over its nuclear program, facing internal unrest following a deadly crackdown on nationwide protests.

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What they’re saying

“I guess over the next month, something like that. It should happen quickly. They should agree very quickly.”

— President Trump (Axios)

What’s next

The Biden administration will continue efforts to negotiate a deal with Iran over its nuclear program, with the deployment of two U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups to the Middle East intended to increase pressure on Tehran.

The takeaway

The deployment of a second U.S. aircraft carrier to the Middle East signals the Biden administration's determination to maintain a strong military presence in the region and ratchet up pressure on Iran, even as the prospects for a negotiated deal remain uncertain and the risk of escalation grows.