Third U.S. Aircraft Carrier Reportedly Headed for the Persian Gulf

U.S. media outlets reported Thursday evening that the aircraft carrier Roosevelt, carrying a Marine unit, left the port of San Diego en route to the Persian Gulf. It is expected to arrive in the region within several weeks. According to one report, the decision was made against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to resume fighting against Iran after the U.S. midterm elections in early November.

It should be noted that, as of today, the U.S. military maintains a significant naval presence in the Arabian Sea and the Middle East as part of the campaign and naval blockade it is conducting against Iran. The main aircraft carriers currently operating in the area are the George Washington, which arrived in the region last August and replaced the aircraft carrier Lincoln, and the George Bush, which is expected to leave next week for docking and crew rest at the port of Phuket in Thailand, following long months of operational activity in the region. One U.S. report said that the Roosevelt will effectively replace the George Bush.

Meanwhile, according to a Reuters report, Iran is preparing for a broader response if the United States resumes its strikes, and senior commanders are reviewing plans to expand targets to countries supporting U.S. military activity and to locations outside the Middle East.

The report stated that “alongside the continued diplomatic effort, Iranian officials believe in closed discussions that its chances of success are low. Therefore, senior Iranian commanders are reviewing plans to expand the potential targets.”

According to Reuters, Iran has instructed its allies in Iraq and throughout the region to prepare for an escalation. Col. Ali Balali, an adviser to the commander of the Revolutionary Guards’ Aerospace Force, issued a statement: “We will launch missiles as needed until the enemy learns its lesson. Iranian missile launches have reached a level that makes it possible to continue operations at the same pace, even if the conflict lasts for several years.”