President Trump has directed the massive USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier and its supporting warships to sail from Caribbean operations to the Middle East, implementing a strategy of enhanced military pressure as the United States pursues negotiations with Iran regarding nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The deployment timeline spans approximately three weeks, after which the Ford will operate alongside the USS Abraham Lincoln in the region.
Trump’s decision to deploy a second carrier strike group was foreshadowed during a Tuesday interview with Axios, though at that time he suggested cautious optimism about Iran’s willingness to negotiate. By Thursday, following his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, reports confirmed the Ford had received deployment orders, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to maintaining maximum leverage while diplomatic discussions continue through indirect channels.
The negotiations in Oman last week represented an initial engagement between American and Iranian representatives, though the absence of scheduled follow-up meetings indicates substantial gaps remain between the parties’ positions. Iran has signaled receptiveness to discussing nuclear enrichment limitations in exchange for economic sanctions relief, but has rejected demands regarding its ballistic missile program and support for proxy groups that Israel considers essential elements of any comprehensive agreement.
The USS Gerald R Ford’s redeployment to the Middle East extends what has already been an unusually lengthy mission. After departing American waters in June 2025, the carrier operated in the eastern Mediterranean before relocating to the Caribbean in November to increase pressure on Venezuela. The ship played a central role in the extraordinary January seizure of Nicolás Maduro and had remained in Caribbean waters until receiving orders for Middle East deployment.
Trump’s rhetoric toward Iran grew increasingly forceful as the week concluded. Thursday brought warnings that failure to reach agreement would be “very traumatic” for Tehran, accompanied by predictions of rapid progress within roughly one month. At Fort Bragg on Friday, Trump suggested that governmental change in Iran might be more desirable than continued negotiations, referencing nearly five decades of diplomatic efforts that he characterized as largely unsuccessful while American lives were lost in regional conflicts.
Trump Escalates Military Presence Near Iran With USS Gerald R Ford Deployment Orders
