The largest U.S. aircraft carrier has entered the Mediterranean Sea.
On February 20, the United States' largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, and an escorting destroyer appeared near Gibraltar. Reports indicate that the Ford carrier has passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and entered the Mediterranean Sea.
The White House had previously ordered the deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. The Ford carrier and its escort vessels were dispatched from the Caribbean region to the Middle East, where they will join the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group located in the Persian Gulf.
The last time the U.S. deployed a "dual carrier" presence in the Middle East was in April of last year. At that time, the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group and the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group launched large-scale airstrikes against Houthi forces in Yemen.
On February 19, U.S. President Trump set a "deadline," stating that Iran has 10-15 days to reach an agreement with the United States. Furthermore, U.S. media reported that the U.S. military may conduct a round of "limited strikes" against Iran within a few days to compel Iran to make concessions.
The U.S. aircraft carrier 'Gerald R. Ford' and a destroyer entered the Mediterranean Sea near Gibraltar on February 20. This deployment follows a White House order to send a second carrier to the Middle East, where it will join the 'Abraham Lincoln' carrier strike group in the Persian Gulf. President Trump has indicated a deadline for Iran to negotiate with the U.S.
- The U.S. aircraft carrier 'Gerald R. Ford' and a destroyer have been spotted near Gibraltar.
- The carrier has entered the Mediterranean Sea after passing through the Strait of Gibraltar.
- The White House ordered the deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East.
- The 'Ford' carrier group is joining the 'Abraham Lincoln' carrier strike group in the Persian Gulf.
- President Trump set a deadline for Iran to reach an agreement with the U.S.