US poised to field three aircraft carriers in Middle East

The United States is expected to deploy three aircraft carrier strike groups to the Middle East in the coming days, in a rare concentration of naval power amid heightened regional tensions.

The USS Abraham Lincoln is currently operating in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz, supporting ongoing maritime operations, Caliber.Az reports via US media.

The USS Gerald R. Ford remains in the northern Red Sea after a deployment of roughly 300 days, one of the longest in recent U.S. naval history, despite a brief disruption caused by an onboard fire.

A third carrier, the USS George H. W. Bush, is moving north from waters near Madagascar and is expected to reach the Arabian Sea shortly.

In an unusual move, the Bush strike group avoided the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal, instead sailing around southern Africa. The longer route is believed to have been chosen to bypass the Bab al-Mandab Strait, where Iran-aligned Houthi forces have threatened to target vessels.

U.S. officials indicate the Bush is likely to relieve the Ford, allowing it to return home after its extended mission. However, there is expected to be a period of overlap during which all three carrier strike groups will be present in or near the region.

The deployment would underscore Washington’s strengthening military posture in the Middle East, as concerns persist over regional security and the safety of key maritime routes.

By Aghakazim Guliyev