Donald Trump has redirected the USS Gerald R Ford to the Middle East for an Iran nuclear pressure operation, substantially increasing American military presence in the region. The carrier’s deployment from Caribbean waters will require approximately three weeks before joining the USS Abraham Lincoln in creating a dual-carrier presence designed to reinforce Trump’s negotiating position with Tehran.
The timing demonstrates Trump’s determination to maintain maximum pressure following coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in Washington. Israel has articulated that acceptable Iran agreements must restrict ballistic missile capabilities and curtail proxy support alongside nuclear enrichment, creating comprehensive requirements that extend beyond Tehran’s indicated flexibility.
Iranian negotiators have signaled potential flexibility on nuclear enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief that could provide significant economic benefits. However, Iranian leadership has drawn firm boundaries against accepting constraints on ballistic missile programs or reducing support for regional allies, creating fundamental obstacles to comprehensive agreement.
The USS Gerald R Ford has been continuously deployed since June 2025, operating first in Mediterranean waters before Caribbean assignment where it played an instrumental role in the January Maduro seizure. The Middle East redeployment extends what has already been an exceptionally lengthy deployment.
Trump delivered increasingly pointed warnings to Iranian leadership as the week concluded. Thursday brought characterizations of negotiation failure as potentially “very traumatic” for Tehran while expressing optimism for agreement within roughly one month. Friday’s Fort Bragg appearance saw Trump suggest that regime change in Iran might ultimately be preferable to continued negotiations.