The U.S. Deploys a Second Aircraft Carrier to the Middle East, U.S. Media: The "Ford" Carrier is Once Again Forced to Extend Its Deployment

[Global Times Report, Reporter Xian Yifan] According to a report by the Associated Press on the 12th, the White House has ordered the deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. The USS Gerald R. Ford and its escort vessels are being dispatched from the Caribbean to the Middle East, where they will join the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group located in the Persian Gulf.

Qatar's Al Jazeera reported that this move aims to exert greater military pressure on Iran and strengthen the U.S. position in negotiations. On the 12th, U.S. President Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House. After the meeting, Trump reiterated his preference for resolving U.S.-Iran issues through diplomatic means, stating, "If an agreement can be reached, that would be my priority; if not, we will just have to wait and see." As of now, senior Iranian officials have not directly responded to the U.S. military deployment.

According to a report by Tasnim News Agency on the 13th, an advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader and Secretary of the Defense Council, Shamkhani, stated that Tehran will respond decisively to any military adventurism directed at the country. Iran is currently at a high level of military readiness, and any miscalculation will incur heavy costs. "Avoiding actions that affect regional stability and security is a wise choice for all parties involved," Shamkhani emphasized. "If negotiations are based on realistic conditions and do not include extreme demands, they will develop in a positive direction."

The New York Times reported that Washington's new orders will force the USS Ford to extend its deployment. The carrier was originally scheduled to be deployed to Europe for a cruise mission in June 2025, but was redirected to the Caribbean to support military operations against Venezuela, participating in attacks on Caracas.