U.S. carrier moves closer to Gulf as Iran and allies vow retaliation

As a U.S. aircraft carrier and warships approach the Persian Gulf, Iran and its regional allies have intensified warnings that they will retaliate if attacked. President Trump announced the deployment last week, calling it an “armada,” and said, “We’ll see what happens,” as he returned from Davos.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln entered Central Command’s area in the western Indian Ocean accompanied by three warships equipped with Tomahawk missiles; the official said the carrier could, in theory, take military action within a day or two if the White House ordered strikes.

U.S. officials also said a dozen F-15E attack planes were sent to the region to bolster strike aircraft numbers. Iranian officials have issued daily warnings.

Key Topics

World, Persian Gulf, Abraham Lincoln, Iran, Hezbollah, Tomahawk Missiles