US Sends 2 Carrier Groups Toward Iran as Trump Weighs New Blockade

The United States is redirecting a naval armada, including two aircraft carriers and more than 20 warships, toward Iran as President Donald Trump weighs reinstating a blockade on Iranian ports following the collapse of a ceasefire with Tehran, according to a New York Post report.

The report said maritime trackers spotted the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George H.W. Bush entering the Gulf of Oman, a move military analysts said would be consistent with preparations for a renewed blockade and increased operations around the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Central Command confirmed this week that more than 20 U.S. Navy warships are operating across the Middle East, saying the forces are "promoting regional security and stability."

CENTCOM declined to comment on whether the military was preparing to restart the blockade, citing operational security.

The two carrier strike groups have moved into waters within range of Iranian missiles, increasing the potential risk to the vessels as tensions escalate.

Retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery,

 

 a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said naval forces typically move closer to Iran when preparing for blockade operations and missions supporting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The military buildup follows Trump's decision this week to end the U.S.-Iran ceasefire after Tehran allegedly attacked three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday and Tuesday.

The Trump administration responded by revoking Iran's waiver to sell oil and launching two days of strikes against Iranian coastal targets, according to reports.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical flashpoint because roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply moves through the narrow waterway, making any disruption a potential threat to global energy markets.

At the same time, diplomatic efforts continue as both sides seek to avoid a wider conflict.

A Qatari delegation concluded talks in Tehran on Friday aimed at reducing tensions, while Iranian officials are expected to travel to Oman for discussions focused on the Strait of Hormuz, including shipping routes through Iranian territorial waters.

Trump has agreed to continue talks with Iran, though no formal in-person negotiations have been announced.

The administration has maintained that preventing Iran from threatening international shipping and advancing its military capabilities remains a top priority while keeping diplomatic channels open.

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