US Deploys World's Largest Aircraft Carrier to Middle East

Tensions with Iran prompt major military buildup in the region

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The U.S. is sending the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group to the Middle East, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln and its forces already positioned in the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) area. This move comes as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate.

Why it matters

The deployment of the massive Gerald R. Ford carrier group, the world's largest, signals a significant military buildup in the Middle East as the U.S. seeks to project power and deter potential aggression from Iran. This move is part of the Trump administration's broader efforts to counter Iran's influence in the region.

The details

The Gerald R. Ford, which recently completed a European cruise, is being redirected to the Middle East at the direction of the President and Secretary of Defense. This will add substantial firepower to the U.S. naval presence in the region, which already includes the USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group. The Pentagon has declined to comment on the specifics of the deployment, but a U.S. Southern Command spokesperson stated that the forces remain "fully ready to project power, defend themselves, and protect U.S. interests in the region."

  • The Gerald R. Ford departed Norfolk, Virginia in June 2026.
  • The carrier was initially sent to Europe but has now been ordered to the Middle East.
  • The deployment comes as tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue to escalate.

The players

USS Gerald R. Ford

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

USS Abraham Lincoln

A U.S. aircraft carrier strike group already positioned in the U.S. Central Command area of operations in the Middle East.

U.S. Central Command (Centcom)

The U.S. military command responsible for operations in the Middle East.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States, who has directed the deployment of additional military forces to the Middle East.

U.S. Department of Defense

The federal agency overseeing the deployment of U.S. military forces, including the aircraft carriers.

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What they’re saying

“We have an armada that is heading there and another one might be going.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (Axios)

What’s next

The deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford to the Middle East is expected to further escalate tensions between the U.S. and Iran, raising the potential for military confrontation in the region.

The takeaway

The U.S. is significantly bolstering its military presence in the Middle East by sending the world's largest aircraft carrier and its strike group to the region, a clear signal of Washington's intent to project power and deter potential aggression from Iran amid the ongoing tensions between the two countries.