USS Nimitz Carrier Sails to Middle East in 'Israel's Defence'

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US Bolsters Naval Presence in Middle East as Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates

By TRH News Desk

NEW DELHI, June 16, 2025 – The USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is en route to the Middle East, joining the USS Carl Vinson CSG amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. This redeployment, coupled with the movement of US warships and air assets between the Middle East and Europe, signals heightened US military readiness as the region braces for potential further conflict.

The deployment has come amid the statement of US President Donald Trump in Ottawa, Canada that Iran should make a deal fast, as “time is running out.” Iran’s foreign affairs minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said that Israel is escalating attacks on Iranian city with aims to derail the nuclear talks with the US.

The USS Nimitz, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, was originally deployed in the Indo-Pacific but cancelled a planned port call in Da Nang, Vietnam, due to an “emergent operational requirement,” according to Reuters. It is now transiting from the South China Sea through the Singapore Strait toward the US Central Command’s area of responsibility, as confirmed by ship tracking data and a US official cited by Fox News.

The Nimitz CSG, which includes destroyers USS Curtis Wilbur, USS Gridley, and USS Wayne E. Meyer, will join the USS Carl Vinson, already positioned in the Arabian Sea with its own destroyers and a cruiser, forming a rare dual-carrier presence in the region.

Army Recognition reported that the Nimitz’s mobility and firepower provide “unmatched capabilities in air superiority, missile defence, maritime security, and rapid strike options,” serving as a “visible reassurance to regional allies and a direct warning to adversaries.” The outlet noted that this move reflects a US recalibration driven by the intensification of the Israel-Iran confrontation, which has seen Israel target Iran’s nuclear facilities and leadership, prompting Iranian retaliatory ballistic missile strikes. Al-Monitor reported dozens of deaths in Iran, including top military and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) leaders, alongside civilian casualties, while nine fatalities have been reported in Israel from Iranian missile barrages.

The US has also deployed additional assets to bolster defences. The Associated Press reported that the Navy ordered the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, capable of defending against ballistic missiles, to move closer to Israel, with a second destroyer en route. Over 30 US Air Force KC-135 and KC-46 aerial-refuelling tankers have been dispatched across the Atlantic, though US officials claim some are part of scheduled NATO exercises in Europe. The Times of Israel noted that US air defence systems and a Navy destroyer have already assisted Israel in intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles, highlighting limited but active US defensive support.

Al-Monitor cited a US defence official stating that protecting American troops remains the Pentagon’s top priority, with deployments aimed at bolstering regional defences. However, Axios reported that Israel has requested US participation in an air campaign targeting Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility, a request that remains under consideration by the Trump administration. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, accused the US of being complicit in Israel’s aggression, according to Newsweek. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the US is not involved in strikes against Iran and prioritizes protecting American forces.

Stars and Stripes reported that the Nimitz’s deployment comes as Israel and Iran exchange strikes, with hundreds killed or injured in the back-and-forth. The outlet quoted President Donald Trump warning Iran on Truth Social: “If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the US armed forces will come down on you at levels never seen before.” Yet, Trump also suggested a potential for de-escalation, stating, “We can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict!!!”

The deployment of the Nimitz CSG, alongside other US military movements, underscores a delicate balance. The Washington Institute noted that maintaining dual carriers in the Middle East could strain US force readiness, particularly given the Trump administration’s focus on deterring China in the Indo-Pacific. Extended deployments may delay maintenance and affect morale, but the presence of two carriers offers unmatched operational flexibility.

The US military buildup, including the Nimitz and Carl Vinson CSGs, reflects a strategic show of force to deter further escalation while supporting Israel’s defence. However, with Iran vowing retaliation and regional allies like the UK deploying additional fighter jets, the prospect of deeper US involvement remains a focal point of concern across the Middle East.

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