2nd US carrier strike group ordered to prepare for Middle East deployment: report
Pentagon orders the USS George Bush battle group to prepare for Mideast deployment
With tensions on a razor’s edge and the world watching, the Pentagon has now ordered a second aircraft carrier strike group to stand at the ready —preparing to steam toward the Middle East on the edge of a knife, bracing for the unthinkable possibility of an attack on Iran.
The Wall Street Journal, citing three military officials, has reported late on Wednesday that the US Defence Deparment's move forms part of Trump's strategy to ratchet up the pressure on Iran to make a deal over its nuclear program.
President Trump said Tuesday that he was weighing sending a second carrier to the Middle East to prepare for military action if negotiations with Iran failed.
The order to deploy could be issued "in a matter of hours", one of the officials said.
The move follows a directive from Trump, who described the naval buildup as an "armada" intended to provide "tough" alternatives if diplomatic efforts fail.
The primary objectives include:
Negotiation leverage: Strengthening the US hand during high-stakes nuclear talks with Iran currently taking place in Oman.
Deterrence: Countering recent Iranian provocations, including the attempted seizure of a US tanker and a drone strike on a US surveillance craft.
Humanitarian pressure: Signalling a response to Tehran’s violent crackdown on domestic anti-government protesters.
This is a developing story. Refresh for more details.
