Trump stopped the attack, but the military didn't stop. The second aircraft carrier is heading to the Middle East

The United States Army, after sending at least one aircraft carrier with an accompanying strike group and several dozen transport aircraft, bombers and fighters to the Middle East, last week also deployed M1 Abrams tanks and M2A3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles to the region.

US armored fist near the Iranian border

Such a build-up of forces may mean preparations for a potential attack on Iran, as suggested by the American military portal TheWarZone in its latest report, adding that there are also unconfirmed reports that the George HW Bush aircraft carrier group and fighters from Great Britain, Germany and France are heading towards the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened the regime in Tehran with an attack in connection with the repression of anti-government protesters, which has led to the death of thousands, and promised protesters that help is on the way. But on Friday he confirmed that he had canceled the planned strike on Iran, explaining that the regime had “stopped killing protesters.”

Calm before the storm in Tehran

However, according to TWZ, it was American military planners who asked the president to give them more time to prepare because the United States has insufficient forces in the region to conduct effective offensive and, especially, defensive operations.

Although the military operation has been suspended, Trump has not yet categorically ruled out an attack on Iran. According to TWZ, if it decides to strike, its options will cover a wide range, from surgical attacks on the forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij paramilitary troops murdering protesters, to an attack on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself, and even a renewed strike on nuclear facilities. Destroying Iran's air defenses and short-range missile systems may be another option to reduce the risk of future operations.

They demonstrate that we maintain readiness to attack Iran unprecedented deliveries of heavy equipment to the Middle East, including M1 Abrams tanks and M2A3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicleswhich constitute the core of American armor formations. The Abrams provides heavy firepower and protection for ground forces, while the Bradley transports infantry and provides direct fire support. This equipment was sought, among other things, by American planners preparing the operation against Tehran.

According to the Armyrecognition website, the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group will arrive in the Middle East in the coming week, accompanied by eight air squadrons and supported by the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay and an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer with a large number of missile launchers that could be used to attack Iran. A submarine, unnamed for operational security reasons, is sailing near the group. (PAP)

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