The US military is dispatching a third aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East, according to officials. The deployment includes the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier and approximately 9,000 troops aboard a group of ships, along with a specialist amphibious attack group.
The movement of forces could result in three carriers being positioned in the Middle East as early as the end of October. The timing of the deployment coincides with President Trump's warning that new strikes against Iran could be forthcoming.
The operation reflects the evolving complexity of the current military posture in the region, occurring as US midterm elections approach.