TEHRAN – Tensions in the Middle East are rising sharply as the United States increases its military presence near Iran. The USS Gerald R. Ford, one of the largest aircraft carriers in the world, is moving toward Iranian waters.
The carrier can host more than 75 fighter jets. It is expected to join other American military assets already deployed in the Middle East. The move signals a significant buildup in the region.
US President Donald Trump has warned that time for diplomacy is running out. He said failure in negotiations could result in serious consequences for Tehran. He also suggested that political change in Iran would be positive, referring to past crackdowns on anti-government protests.
The USS Gerald R. Ford will soon leave the Caribbean and head to the Middle East. It will join the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group, guided-missile destroyers, fighter jets, and surveillance aircraft already stationed nearby.
American officials say military planners are preparing for a possible extended campaign. Potential targets could include nuclear facilities and key Iranian military sites. No final decision has been announced.
The deployment follows a recent meeting between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu expressed hope for a new agreement but stressed that Iran’s ballistic missile program must be addressed. Tehran has rejected any discussion of its missile program.
Tensions have remained high since Israel’s 12-day conflict with Iran in June. During that period, the United States carried out limited strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites. The operation was named “Midnight Hammer.”
Indirect talks between Washington and Tehran recently resumed. These were the first discussions since June. The goal is to revive negotiations on a replacement for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The agreement was abandoned by the United States in 2018.
Under the original deal, Iran limited its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Since the US withdrawal, Iran has increased uranium enrichment levels. However, Iranian officials continue to deny plans to develop nuclear weapons.
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As military deployments grow in the Middle East, global attention remains focused on whether diplomacy can prevent further escalation.
