The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier is positioned close to Iran amidst escalating tensions between the two nations. President Donald Trump recently mentioned that a US naval group, including the Abraham Lincoln, had moved towards Iran, though he expressed a preference to avoid conflict. The carrier strike group, which departed from San Diego in late November, had been engaged in activities in the South China Sea until recently and is now strategically located near Iran, as per reports from Israel’s Channel 13.
In addition to the aircraft carrier, guided-missile destroyers and submarines armed with Tomahawk missiles are also present in the region. There have been reinforcements in air defense, with F-15 fighter jets stationed at various US bases in the area, including Jordan, as confirmed by a US official a few days ago.
The US government has stated that these deployments aim to enhance the protection of American forces in the region amidst rising tensions and to maintain the readiness for potential military responses if necessary.
Amidst these developments, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reportedly sought refuge in a secure underground shelter in Tehran. The commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, Mohammad Pakpour, cautioned the US and Israel to avoid misunderstandings, stating that Iran is fully prepared to act on commands.
Reports from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency indicated that over 5,459 individuals have been confirmed dead in Iran’s recent crackdown on protests, with an additional 17,031 deaths under investigation.
President Trump had previously threatened action against Iran over the protest-related deaths but appeared to retract those statements, mentioning the halting of planned executions. While protest activities have subsided in recent days, the ongoing internet blackout complicates the assessment of the situation.
Trump’s remarks on the situation were made aboard Air Force One, where he emphasized monitoring the region closely with a deployed naval fleet as a precautionary measure. He expressed hopes for peaceful resolutions but acknowledged the possibility of further actions if required, highlighting the deployment as a preparatory step.
The president also mentioned the acquisition of 25 additional B-2 bombers for potential future missions, praising their capabilities based on past successful operations. Last year, the US conducted strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran using B-2 bombers, underscoring the nation’s readiness to act decisively if needed.