The U.S. is moving an additional aircraft carrier to the Middle East, according to U.S. officials, among other U.S. military developments since the start of the conflict between Israel and Iran.
The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and three destroyers in its strike group are now headed to the Middle East from their current deployment to the Western Pacific, the officials said. The Nimitz is being directed to make its way to the Middle East “without delay,” one of the officials said, where it will overlap with the USS Carl Vinson.
In a statement on social media, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that, over the weekend, he “directed the deployment of additional capabilities” to the Middle East. “Protecting U.S. forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in the region,” he said.
This handout grab taken from footage released by the US Defence Visual Information Distribution Service on June 11, 2025, shows the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) conducting flight operations in the South China Sea, on May 28, 2025.
Edward Jacome/DVIDS/AFP via Getty Images, FILE
It’s possible that additional U.S. Navy ships equipped with missile defense systems will be sent to the Eastern Mediterranean in the coming days and weeks, according to a U.S. official.
The U.S. also moved a large number of midair refueling aircraft to Europe this past weekend as a precautionary move to provide options should the U.S. have to undertake defensive measures, a U.S. official confirmed.
-ABC News’ Luis Martinez
