Washington Reinforces Its Military Presence in the Middle East Amid Tensions with Iran

SadaNews - According to U.S. media reports on Thursday night to Friday, the United States is working to reinforce its military presence in the Middle East following threats directed against Iran.

The New York Times, citing U.S. officials, reported that the aircraft carrier "USS Abraham Lincoln" and several accompanying ships are moving from the South China Sea to the region, and they are expected to arrive in about a week. Additional defensive weapons and equipment are being deployed, and fighter jets may follow.

Similarly, the American news site "Axios" reported that the "USS Abraham Lincoln" is heading towards the region. The Pentagon has not yet confirmed the deployment. Fox News quoted military sources stating that at least one U.S. aircraft carrier is being sent to the Middle East, although it did not specify which one.

Since the beginning of mass protests against the Iranian government more than two weeks ago, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened intervention in the country. The protests erupted, among other reasons, due to a severe economic crisis, high inflation, and widespread dissatisfaction with the leadership in Tehran. Iranian security forces have violently suppressed the protests, with reports of thousands of casualties.