Iran in spotlight? US carrier strike group poised for action in Middle East — CNN
Illustrative photo: US military personnel (Getty Images)
The United States is strengthening its military presence in the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran, according to CNN.
It has become known that a US Navy carrier strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is currently operating in the Indian Ocean, allowing it to quickly move closer to any potential operations against Iran.
The group is operating within the area of responsibility of US Central Command (CENTCOM), which coordinates American military operations in the Middle East. At the same time, according to sources, the aircraft carrier is not yet on immediate combat readiness.
A typical carrier strike group includes the aircraft carrier itself, missile cruisers, air defense ships, and destroyers or frigates for anti-submarine warfare.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump continues to consider various options regarding Iran. At the same time, US allies are urging Washington to refrain from any military action.
Iran prepares for potential US attack
On Sunday, January 25, a large mural depicting fighter jets flying over a US military ship appeared at Revolution Square in Tehran. During Friday prayers, an imam in the capital publicly warned Washington.
"The trillion dollars you invested in the region are under the watch of our missiles," Mohammad Ali Akbari said.
Iranian officials have sharply intensified their rhetoric over the past week. For example, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran is "more than capable" of delivering a response to the United States that would be "regretful."
"The arrival of one or several warships does not impact Iran’s defensive determination," he said, adding that Iran’s armed forces are continuously strengthening their capabilities.
Iran also claims a significant increase in its missile potential following the 12-day war with Israel in June. During that conflict, Tehran struck Israeli targets with missiles and drones, and the United States later attacked key Iranian nuclear facilities.
Protests in Iran
Since late 2025, large-scale anti-government protests have erupted in Iran, starting in Tehran among business owners amid a worsening economy and the rapid depreciation of the national currency against the US dollar.
In recent weeks, thousands of people have been killed in Iran.
Following this, US President Donald Trump warned that he was ready to take "extremely tough actions" if protesters were executed and called for the dismantling of the ayatollahs’ regime, stressing the need to find a new leader. In addition, Trump announced the deployment of a significant US naval flotilla to Iran.
