US Announces Air Force Exercise in Middle East, Sends Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln Near Iran
The United States has unleashed a new show of force in the Middle East, announcing several days of military air drills and sending the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to the region, as Iran threatens retaliation.
The US displays its military force near Iran PHOTO: X
Air Forces Central, the air component of US Central Command (CENTCOM), said the exercises are aimed at testing the ability to deploy, disperse and sustain combat air power in the region. US officials say the maneuvers aim to strengthen regional partnerships and prepare for a quick and flexible response in the event of a crisis.
Although the Pentagon has not made public the exact location and the full list of units involved, the message is clear: Washington is demonstrating its ability to project military force in a highly volatile area, writes theguardian.
At the same time, CENTCOM confirmed the arrival in the region of the strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which is carrying dozens of fighter jets and about 5,000 troops. It is escorted by guided missile destroyers equipped with anti-aircraft defense systems.
According to US media, the US has also relocated a squadron of F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft, previously involved in strikes on Iran, and Britain has sent Typhoon jets on a declared “defensive” mission.
Tensions escalated after the bloody crackdown on protests in Iran, triggered by the economic crisis and the devaluation of the national currency. Human rights organizations speak of thousands of dead, while authorities in Tehran officially recognize more than 3,100 victims.
Donald Trump has previously threatened military strikes if the Iranian regime continues executions and repression. He later stated that “the killings have stopped”but left open the option of an intervention: “We have a massive fleet heading in that direction. Maybe we won't have to use it.”
At the same time, the US administration says it is open to dialogue.
“Iran wants to make a deal. They have called several times. They want to talk,” Trump said in a recent interview.
However, the deployment has also created unease among regional allies.
The United Arab Emirates has announced that it will not allow its territory or airspace to be used for an attack on Iran, stressing that it wants to maintain neutrality and stability in the region.
