1 hour ago
Last Updated:February 14, 2026, 06:56 IST
Donald Trump said a second American aircraft carrier will soon head to the Middle East, linking the deployment to ongoing negotiations with Iran over its nuclear programme.
A file photo of Donald Trump (AP)
US President Donald Trump said a second American aircraft carrier group would soon head to the Middle East, underscoring Washington’s military posture as negotiations continue with Iran over its nuclear programme.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Trump confirmed the decision when asked about the deployment, and linked the move directly to the outcome of ongoing diplomatic efforts with Tehran.
“Well, in case we don’t make a deal, we’ll need it. If we don’t have a deal, we’ll need it," Trump told journalists.
He indicated that the deployment could be reconsidered if negotiations succeed, suggesting the military build-up was intended as leverage during talks.
“If we have a deal, we could cut it short," Trump said, adding that the carrier “will be leaving very soon."
The second aircraft carrier group is expected to head to the Middle East as the United States increases pressure on Iran while negotiations over its nuclear programme continue.
Trump reiterated that the deployment was a contingency measure tied to whether an agreement is reached.
The carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, is the world’s largest aircraft carrier, which is being moved from the Caribbean Sea to the Middle East to join existing US military assets in the region.
The deployment comes as Trump presses Iran to agree to a deal and follows discussions about a possible new round of talks that ultimately did not materialise.
Trump told reporters the United States already had a carrier operating in the region and emphasised that the additional deployment would ensure readiness if tensions escalate.
“We have one out there that just arrived. If we need it, we’ll have it ready. A big, a very big force," he said.
The Pentagon had ordered the second carrier deployment after Trump warned of “very traumatic" consequences for Iran if it failed to reach a nuclear agreement with Washington.
The USS Gerald R Ford and its escort ships are expected to join the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group, which had earlier been sent to the Gulf region.
The indirect talks between the United States and Iran had taken place in Oman, while diplomatic exchanges continued through intermediaries.
The reinforcement of US naval forces is being viewed as both a deterrent signal and a negotiating tool as Washington seeks a swift agreement with Tehran.
Meanwhile, the duration of the carrier’s deployment remains unclear.
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First Published:
February 14, 2026, 06:56 IST
News world 'If There's No Deal': Trump Says Second US Aircraft Carrier Headed To Middle East Amid Iran Tensions
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