Biggest US aircraft carriers deployed as Trump considers Iran strikes

express.co.uk · Feb 26, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. News Politics Royal Showbiz & TV Sport Finance Travel Life & Style Shopping Premium Articles UK Royal Weather Politics Defence World US Science History Weird Nature InYourArea The Trump administration has deployed two aircraft carriers to the Middle East as tensions between Tehran and Washington reach crisis point 01:15, Thu, Feb 26, 2026 Updated: 01:29, Thu, Feb 26, 2026 The Trump administration is gearing up for potential land and maritime operations against Iran (Image: YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images)The Trump administration is gearing up for potential land and maritime operations against Iranian targets amid attack threats unseen for more than two decades, as hostilities between Tehran and Washington escalate dramatically.Fresh reports from 19FortyFive, a military and defence news publication, reveal that the Trump administration has positioned two aircraft carriers near Iran should the president opt to proceed with strike plans in the Middle East.This deployment follows intelligence suggesting the Iranians possess a substantial missile arsenal that could present a threat not witnessed since 2003, during America's war against Iraq.Iranian officials have acknowledged the formidable missile capability, with the nation's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating in November, "our missile power today far surpasses that of the 12-day war," referencing its 11-day confrontation with Israel in June 2025.Rebecca Grant, a distinguished national security analyst holding a PhD in International Relations, penned an analysis for 19FortyFive stating that the alarming danger of war posed by Iran's weaponry is "real and immediate.""It was Iranian missiles that targeted the U.S. airbase at Al Udeid, Qatar, generating the biggest single launch of Patriot missiles back on June 23, 2005," Grant noted. "In 2024, their missile and drone package launched against Israel had to be intercepted by forces ranging from harried U.S. Air Force F-15Es to Navy destroyers using both the older SM-3 Block 1B variant and the wider-angle SM-3 Block 2A developed for the Pacific."Grant notes that prospective American strikes on Iran could prove complicated, as "potential targets are arrayed across the country, from the solid-fuel missile production facilities at Shahroud in the northeast to the cratered airbase at Hamadan, near Iran's western border."President Trump has focused on restricting the nation's missile manufacturing capabilities, persuading the UN International Atomic Energy Agency to catalogue uranium illegally possessed by Iran, which has enabled its accelerated weapons development.File photo shows the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) (Image: SR Pablo Chavez/USS Carl Vinson / SWNS)Tehran has thus far consented to prepare a written proposal addressing American apprehensions regarding its missiles after indirect nuclear discussions in Geneva last week.On Friday, President Trump cautioned that targeted strikes against Iran remain on the table should the two nations fail to secure an agreement on armaments.Trump's warnings followed a journalist's enquiry about whether Washington would pursue limited military action whilst negotiations proceed. The president replied, "I guess I can say I am considering that." The latest news from around the world Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy Several hours afterwards, he informed reporters that Iran "better negotiate a fair deal."Likewise, Iranian representatives have indicated their readiness for conflict should talks with the US collapse."We are prepared for diplomacy, and we are prepared for negotiation as much as we are prepared for war," Araghchi said last week. The heightened warnings come as President Trump readies himself to deliver the State of the Union address on Tuesday from Capitol Hill, where he is widely expected to defend his hardline foreign policies.