USS Ford ordered to Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran, official says

The USS Gerald R. Ford has been ordered to move from the Caribbean Sea to the Middle East, a US official confirmed to Fox News, as President Donald Trump weighs whether to take military action against Iran amid tensions in the region.

This will deploy two aircraft carriers and their accompanying warships to the region. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and three guided missile destroyers arrived in the Middle East more than two weeks ago.

USS Ford, which is set to deploy in June 2025, was sent from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean last fall as the administration built a significant military presence ahead of an operation to strike Venezuela and capture president Nicolás Maduro.

SCOTT BESSENT SAYS IRAN UNDERSTANDS ‘BRUTE FORCE’ AS TRUMP WELCOME OPTIONS IN NUCLEAR SITUATION

Trump on Thursday warned Iran that failure to reach an agreement with the United States over its nuclear program would be “very traumatic” after the two countries held indirect talks in Oman last week.

“This has to happen quickly. They have to agree very quickly,” he told reporters.

The move will deploy two aircraft carriers and their accompanying warships to the region. (Jonathan Klein/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday and told the Israeli leader that he insisted negotiations with Iran continue.

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The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and three guided missile destroyers arrived in the Middle East more than two weeks ago. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

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Netanyahu is calling on the Trump administration to pressure Tehran to reduce its ballistic missile program and end its support for terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah as part of any deal.

Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin and The Associated Press contributed to this report.