The U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) has instructed a second aircraft carrier strike group to prepare for deployment to the Middle East, as the U.S. military readies for a potential strike on Iran, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing three U.S. officials.
اضافة اعلان
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he is considering sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East in preparation for possible military action if negotiations with Iran fail.
One official said the deployment order could be issued within hours.
Officials cautioned that Trump has not yet issued a formal order to deploy the second carrier and that plans could change.
The carrier is expected to join the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is already stationed in the region.
According to one official, the Pentagon is preparing to deploy a carrier within two weeks, likely departing from the U.S. East Coast.
The USS George H.W. Bush is currently completing a series of exercises off the coast of Virginia, and those drills could be expedited, officials said.
Trump met Wednesday at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss negotiations with Iran. Details of a possible second round of talks with Iran have not yet been finalized, according to officials.
In a post on social media following the meeting, Trump said he prefers reaching an agreement with Iran.
“I insisted on continuing negotiations with Iran to see whether a deal can be made. If that is possible, I informed the Prime Minister that this would be the preferred option. If it is not possible, then we will have to see what the outcome will be,” he added.
