Washington, Jan 26, (dpa/GNA) – The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, has arrived in the area of responsibility of the US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM), which covers the Middle East, including Iran.
The aircraft carrier battle group is currently deployed in the Middle East “to promote regional security and stability,” CENTCOM announced on X on Monday.
The ship is currently in the Indian Ocean. There were no further details on its position.
President Donald Trump recently refused to rule out military intervention by his country in Iran, and told reporters on Thursday that the US had a “big flotilla” heading in “that direction.”
US media had previously reported that the USS Abraham Lincoln and escort ships were on their way from the South China Sea to the region.
The aircraft carrier normally transports several thousand service personnel and dozens of fighter planes. It is accompanied by Navy destroyers.
Iran saw nationwide protests erupt in late December, initially triggered by an economic crisis but quickly evolving into a broader political uprisings against the Islamic Republic’s authoritarian system.
Security forces responded with a violent crackdown. Thousands of demonstrators were killed, according to rights groups and witnesses.
Trump has issued threats to the leadership in Tehran in response to the unrest, fuelling concerns about a potential military escalation in the region.
GNA