The United States is sending the world's largest aircraft carrier to the Middle East in a massive show of strength, sources confirmed on Friday.
The nuclear–powered behemoth will bolster American forces already stationed in the region as Washington ramps up its military presence to a formidable new level.
The deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, a $13 billion floating fortress, is a clear signal of intent, effectively doubling the US Navy's carrier strike power in the area.
The move adds significant military weight to President Donald Trump's efforts to pressure Iran into a new deal regarding its nuclear program.
Instead, a top Iranian security official visited Oman and Qatar this week to exchange messages with US intermediaries rather than engaging in direct dialogue.
The deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford will station two American aircraft carriers and their accompanying warships in the region simultaneously.
The massive vessel and its strike group are set to join the USS Abraham Lincoln and its fleet of guided–missile destroyers, which are already patrolling the Arabian Sea.
Currently positioned in the Caribbean, the USS Gerald R. Ford is expected to take up to four weeks to steam into the region.
The arrival window aligns perfectly with the high–stakes ultimatum issued by President Trump on Thursday. Trump set a blistering deadline to finalize a deal by next month, warning he is prepared to 'change course' should negotiations fail to materialize.
A Senior Administration official tells the Daily Mail that prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting influenced Trump to take a stronger position towards Iran.
'Netanyahu basically said, Iran plays games. You don't want to get played. Trump listened.'
The last time the US had two naval carriers in the region was during most of the war between Hamas and Israel over Gaza.
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