US to send third aircraft carrier towards Iran: US official to Al Jazeera | US-Israel war on Iran News
US Expands Military Presence in Middle East as Tensions with Iran Escalate
Published October 2, 2026
The United States is increasing its military presence in the Middle East, deploying a third aircraft carrier to the waters near Iran amid ongoing conflict that is now entering its eighth month. A U.S. official confirmed to Al Jazeera that the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group departed from San Diego on Sunday, followed by the Makin Island Marine Expeditionary Force, which carries over 2,000 Marines.
By the end of November, the official stated, three aircraft carriers and two amphibious landing groups will be strategically positioned around Iran. This military buildup aims to provide President Donald Trump with enhanced options should he choose to take further action.
Tanya Noury, reporting from Washington for Al Jazeera, noted that this latest deployment includes thousands of additional troops and increased air power, specifically F-35 fighter jets, supplementing the approximately 50,000 U.S. service members already stationed in the region. According to sources at the Pentagon and the White House, the intention is to maintain military options for Trump, regardless of the diplomatic landscape, with all assets remaining in place even if an agreement with Iran is reached. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that forces are ready if the President orders military strikes.
In public statements, Trump has expressed confidence in a swift American victory in the conflict, indicating that military action remains a possibility but refraining from elaborating before the upcoming midterm elections.
The U.S. has coupled this display of military strength with new economic sanctions aimed at intensifying pressure on Tehran. This week, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Iran’s rail and automotive sectors, describing the measures as part of an effort to diminish Iran’s revenue sources.
Simultaneously, Iran has proposed a seven-day roadmap via Qatar, seeking to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear negotiations in exchange for an end to the U.S. naval blockade, relief from sanctions, and a regional ceasefire affecting Lebanon and Yemen. However, this proposal was rejected by Trump, who highlighted the non-negotiable nature of the demands surrounding frozen funds and sanctions, citing global consensus reflected in seven United Nations Security Council resolutions against Iran’s nuclear weapons program.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed Tehran’s readiness to continue conflict while simultaneously asserting a commitment to seeking peace. The dual messaging from both nations comes amid a complex interplay of diplomatic and military strategies.
Analysts suggest that the current situation reflects a shift in focus from whether negotiations will take place to which party will be the first to yield their leverage. Former U.S. ambassador Richard Schmierer observed that Trump faces a challenging political landscape as he balances the need to delay actions post-midterms with the risks associated with potential concessions—especially considering past criticisms of agreements.
A recent AP-NORC poll indicates that nearly 70 percent of Americans believe the ongoing war with Iran is not worth fighting, a fact that Trump has dismissed by claiming the polling organizations are corrupt.
