Pentagon’s second aircraft carrier for Middle East sparks WW3 fears | World | News
The USS Lincoln is currently stationed in the Middle East (Image: US NAVY/AFP via Getty Images)
The Pentagon is reportedly readying a second aircraft carrier for potential deployment to the Middle East, according to three U.S. officials. They revealed that President Donald Trump is of the belief that the U.S. stands prepared to strike Iran if talks with the Islamic Republic collapse, and he is contemplating deploying an additional aircraft carrier.
«Either we will make a deal, or we will have to do something very tough like last time,» Trump declared to Israeli news outlet N12, also cautioning that the U.S. has «an armada that is heading there and another one might be going.»
An official disclosed to the WSJ that the order for deployment «could be issued in a matter of hours,» although no formal directive from Trump has been given as yet. The WSJ reported that the Pentagon is gearing up a carrier for deployment «in two weeks, likely from the East Coast.»
Currently, the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush is carrying out training exercises off the Virginia coast and «could potentially expedite those exercises,» officials said.
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The USS Lincoln is presently stationed in the Middle East along with several other vessels. Trump also held discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday regarding their respective nations’ boundaries on nuclear negotiations with Iran, reports the Wall Street Journal.
«There was nothing definitive reached other than I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a Deal can be consummated,» Trump posted on Truth Social following the meeting.
«Last time Iran decided that they were better off not making a Deal, and they were hit with Midnight Hammer – That did not work well for them. There is truly PEACE in the Middle East.»
President Donald Trump met with Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday (Image: Getty)
Trump conceded that «nothing definitive» was settled during his meeting with Netanyahu, but insisted that discussions with Iran should persist.
The Israeli leader was anticipated to urge the president to seek an agreement that would halt Iran’s uranium enrichment, whilst curtailing its ballistic missile programme.
Iran has hinted at its willingness to limit the programme in exchange for sanctions relief, but has dismissed other stipulations.
The Pentagon is preparing to send a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East (Image: US NAVY/AFP via Getty Images)
Ahead of the White House rendezvous, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian cautioned that his nation would «not yield to their excessive demands.»
On Truth Social, Trump expressed that an agreement was his «preference,» but if one couldn’t be brokered, «we will just have to see what the outcome will be.»
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Tehran that any attack on Israel would be met with «a force that Iran has never seen before» increasing fears of WW3 if conflict does materialise.
The declaration comes as Middle East tensions hit a new peak, driven by nationwide protests in Iran, the arrival of a US aircraft carrier strike group in the region, and increasingly aggressive rhetoric from Washington.
