On February 11, 2026, President Trump of the United States stated on Tuesday, February 10, that he is considering deploying a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East. This move is aimed at preparing the United States for military action in response to the failure of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.
In an interview with Axios, Trump hinted that if an agreement cannot be reached with Iran, the U.S. may have to take military action.
“Either we make a deal, or we have to take very strong action as we did last time,” the President said, referring to the intense military strike carried out by the U.S. against Iran’s nuclear facilities in June of last year.
Trump expressed that he is considering sending a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East.
“We have a fleet on the way there, and there may be another one,” Trump said, adding that he is “considering” deploying another aircraft carrier strike group.
An official from the U.S. confirmed to Axios that the Trump administration has discussed deploying a second aircraft carrier strike group to the region.
President Trump has already deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East. According to Reuters, officials revealed that the USS George Washington currently in Asia and the USS George H.W. Bush on the U.S. East Coast are the most likely candidates to be moved to the Middle East. However, the Pentagon may also deploy the USS Ford from the Caribbean.
Analysis of satellite images by Reuters shows an increase in U.S. military aircraft and other military equipment deployed in the Middle East region recently. Especially since January of this year, as tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalated, U.S. troops stationed at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar (the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East) have loaded missiles onto truck launchers to facilitate quicker mobilization if necessary.
The Trump administration hopes to force Iran to reach a nuclear agreement through military pressure. Last Friday, February 6, the U.S. and Iran held nuclear talks in Oman. Trump said he expects the next round of negotiations to take place next week.
The President remains optimistic about resolving issues through diplomatic means. He stated that Iran is “very eager to make a deal” this time. Due to the military deterrence of the U.S., Iran is taking the negotiations more seriously than ever before.
“They didn’t believe I would act like that the last time,” Trump said, referring to his military action ordering the strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities last June.
The President stated that any agreement must address Iran’s nuclear program, which is “undoubtedly” a key issue, but he also believes the agreement should include Iran’s ballistic missile inventory.
“We can make a great deal with Iran,” he said.