"First Time Since Iraq War": U.S. Deploys Three Aircraft Carriers to Middle East to Pressure Iran

First deployment of three aircraft carriers to the Middle East since the Iraq War
Maximizing military pressure and preparing for possible renewed conflict
Iranian negotiators declare "No division" in united response

U.S. Central Command X (formerly Twitter)

Just two days after U.S. President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran, he is once again raising the level of military pressure. Following the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford, the USS George H.W. Bush has also been stationed in the Middle East region. The last time the United States deployed three aircraft carriers simultaneously in the Middle East was during the 2003 Iraq War, which involved a large-scale ground operation and air strikes. This move appears to be aimed at maximizing military pressure while also preparing for the possible resumption of war.

First Deployment of Three Carriers in the Middle East Since the Iraq War

The U.S. Central Command announced on X (formerly Twitter) on April 23 (local time) that the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush was sailing in the Indian Ocean, within the area of responsibility of Central Command, as of April 23.

They also posted a photo of the carrier sailing in the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean refers to the vast waters stretching from the east coast of Africa to India and Southeast Asia. Remaining outside the Strait of Hormuz, this deployment is interpreted as a show of military pressure, implying that strikes against the Middle East could be launched within hours if necessary.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) assessed that the USS George H.W. Bush's entry into the Indian Ocean signifies strengthened maritime blockades against Iran and secures additional firepower in case a decision is made to resume attacks on Iran.

With the deployment of the USS George H.W. Bush, the number of carriers supporting the Iran conflict has increased to three. Previously, the U.S. military had already deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford to the Middle East. In the past, during the Gulf War and the Iraq War, the U.S. concentrated three to six carriers in the Middle East for large-scale ground operations and airstrikes.

A U.S. government official stated, "The last time three aircraft carriers were deployed to the Central Command's area of operations was when naval power was concentrated for the launch of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003."

Trump Orders Fire on Iranian Minelaying Vessels... Rising Tensions

Tensions in Iranian waters escalated further from the morning of the same day. The U.S. Department of Defense announced on X that "last night, the U.S. military conducted a maritime interdiction operation and boarding inspection of the Majestic X, which was transporting Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean within the area overseen by the Indo-Pacific Command."

The announcement continued, "We will continue global maritime enforcement activities to disrupt illegal networks and intercept vessels providing material support to Iran wherever they may be."

The United States has continued military pressure by launching maritime interdiction operations in Iranian waters after extending the ceasefire. Going a step further, it has expanded maritime blockades even beyond the Strait of Hormuz. According to the New York Times (NYT), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Kane also stated that U.S. military operations against Iranian vessels would not be limited to the Strait of Hormuz.

Furthermore, the U.S. military has been issued orders to fire upon and sink any vessel laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. On the morning of the same day, President Trump wrote on Truth Social, "I have ordered the U.S. Navy to shoot and kill any vessel, no matter how small, that is laying mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz."

Bloomberg pointed out that if this order is carried out, the nature of combat operations could change, and the ceasefire, which has lasted for over two weeks, could be in jeopardy.

"No Division"... Iranian Negotiators Speak with One Voice in Response to Trump

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament

Iran, meanwhile, is showing a united front in the face of U.S. pressure. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf both declared unity around the Supreme Leader within minutes of each other.

Speaker Ghalibaf posted on X, "There are no hardliners or moderates in Iran. We are all 'Iranians' and 'revolutionaries,' and with the thorough unity of the people and the government, through complete obedience to the Supreme Leader, we will make the aggressors and criminals regret their actions."

One minute after Ghalibaf posted this message, President Pezeshkian retweeted it. Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref also shared the statement, adding in English, "Our political diversity is the foundation of our democracy, but in times of crisis, we unite as 'one hand' under one flag." According to WSJ, it is unusual for the Iranian government's senior leadership to deliver a unified message simultaneously.

Previously, President Trump had claimed that there was serious division between the hardline Iranian military and the moderate negotiation team, stating that he was extending the ceasefire at the request of Pakistan, the mediator. The fact that senior Iranian officials simultaneously refuted President Trump's claims is noteworthy.

Bloomberg, citing Western military intelligence agencies, reported that the Iranian regime remains stable and united, even after the assassinations of its senior leaders.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.