Trump sends second aircraft carrier to Middle East as Iran nuclear threats grow

The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group deployed to the Middle East on Feb. 13, 2026. It joins the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, giving the U.S. two carrier strike groups in the region simultaneously.

Each carrier strike group includes approximately 7,500 personnel, 60-70 aircraft, one or two guided missile cruisers, and four to six guided missile destroyers. Total regional U.S. naval presence now exceeds 15,000 personnel.

Trump has publicly stated he's considering military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. He called Iran's nuclear program 'a threat to civilization' in a Feb. 12 statement.

Iran warned that any attack on its territory would trigger immediate retaliation across the region. Iranian Supreme Leader AKAli Khamenei said attacks would target U.S. bases in Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain.

Iranian government forces have killed over 2,500 protesters since January 2026, according to human rights organizations. The protests began over economic conditions and expanded to demand regime change.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced H.R. 1847, requiring congressional authorization before military action against Iran. The bill has 67 Democratic co-sponsors but no Republican support.

The deployment follows 14 attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria by Iran-backed militias in the past month. No U.S. personnel have been killed, but 23 have been injured.