U.S. Deploys Third Aircraft Carrier Strike Group and Additional Troops Near Iran
A U.S. official confirmed that a third carrier strike group and up to 10,000 service members will be positioned in the Middle East by the end of November, expanding the existing force of roughly 50,000 personnel.
The United States is moving a third aircraft carrier strike group toward the Middle East, a senior official told Al Jazeera, adding that the deployment will bring the total of U.S. forces in the region to around 10,000 troops, including sailors and Marines. The USS Theodore Roosevelt left San Diego on Sunday, followed a day later by the Makin Island Marine Expeditionary Unit, which carries more than 2,000 Marines. By the end of November, three carriers and two amphibious landing groups are expected to be operating near Iran, giving President Donald Trump a broader set of military options.
According to Pentagon sources, the new deployment includes F-35 fighter jets and joins roughly 50,000 U.S. service members already stationed across a network of bases in at least 19 Middle Eastern locations. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the forces are “ready to go” if ordered to conduct further attacks.
The buildup follows earlier surges that have added more than 120 aircraft to the theater since February, marking the largest increase in U.S. airpower in the region since the 2003 Iraq War. Earlier in the year, the United States sent additional amphibious groups—USS Tripoli with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and USS Boxer with the 11th MEU—along with about 2,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, bringing the total of newly deployed personnel to nearly 7,000.
While officials have not indicated an imminent escalation, President Trump has suggested that a larger bombing campaign could be considered after the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. In a recent interview, he said any further action would depend on the evolving situation.
Diplomatic efforts continue through indirect talks mediated by Qatar, but recent proposals from Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief and a regional ceasefire were rejected by the White House. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz emphasized that the demands for frozen assets and sanctions relief are non-negotiable, citing multiple UN Security Council resolutions on Iran’s nuclear program.
"These aren’t just the United States’ sanctions … these are global sanctions," Waltz told NBC.
Iran’s foreign minister responded that Tehran remains prepared for further conflict while asserting a willingness to pursue peace.
The United States has also intensified economic pressure, adding new sanctions on Iranian rail and automotive firms as part of a broader strategy to limit Tehran’s revenue.