Pentagon Deploys Third Carrier Group to Middle East

The United States Department of Defense is deploying a third aircraft-carrier strike group and additional Marine Corps ships to the Middle East, adding between 9,000 and 10,000 troops to the region. The USS Theodore Roosevelt and the USS Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group departed this week to join the USS George H.W. Bush and USS George Washington already stationed in the area.

These deployments follow a decision by President Donald Trump to reject an Iranian proposal for a seven-day ceasefire. The rejected deal would have reopened the Strait of Hormuz and resumed nuclear talks in exchange for the lifting of a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. Trump is now considering resuming bombing strikes on Iran in November, following the midterm elections.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has further expanded the military presence by extending deployments for air-defense units and the Army's 82nd Airborne Division. Navy officials warned that these movements are straining a fleet already facing near-record deployment levels and supply shortages.