US aircraft carrier enters Middle East as tensions with Iran remain high

A United States aircraft carrier and a group of supporting warships have arrived in the Middle East, expanding Washington’s military capability in the region amid heightened tensions with Iran, US officials have said.

Two US officials told Reuters on Monday that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by several guided missile destroyers, has crossed into the area of responsibility of US Central Command. The deployment strengthens the ability of President Donald Trump to defend American forces in the region and, if ordered, to take military action against Iran.

Last week, President Trump said the United States had an “armada” heading towards Iran, while stressing that he hoped military force would not be required.

Military build-up and exercises

The warships began moving from the Asia Pacific earlier this month as tensions escalated following a crackdown on protests inside Iran. President Trump had repeatedly warned of possible intervention if Iranian authorities continued killing protesters, but later said he had been informed that the violence was subsiding and that he believed there were no current plans to execute detainees.

In addition to the carrier strike group, the Pentagon is deploying fighter aircraft and air defence systems to the Middle East. The US military has also announced regional exercises aimed at demonstrating its ability to deploy, disperse and sustain combat airpower.

The United States has frequently reinforced its military presence in the Middle East during periods of heightened tension, often describing such moves as defensive. However, the latest deployment follows a major US military build-up last year that preceded strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, raising concerns about the risk of escalation.

Iran and regional reactions

Iran has responded sharply to the increased US presence. A senior Iranian official warned that any attack on the country would be regarded as an “all-out war”, reflecting Tehran’s heightened state of alert.

Regional partners have also sought to distance themselves from any potential confrontation. The United Arab Emirates said on Monday that it would not allow its airspace, territory or territorial waters to be used for hostile military action against Iran.

The US-run Al Dhafra Air Base, located south of Abu Dhabi, remains a critical hub for American air operations, supporting missions against the Islamic State group as well as reconnaissance and surveillance activities across the region.

A fragile standoff

While Washington has signalled that diplomatic channels remain open, the growing military footprint on both sides has increased fears of miscalculation. Analysts warn that the current standoff remains volatile, with the risk that a limited incident could rapidly spiral into a wider confrontation.

For now, the United States and Iran continue to closely monitor each other’s moves, leaving the region braced for either renewed diplomacy or a further escalation in tensions.