The Pentagon is deploying the USS Makin Island amphibious ready group and the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier to the Middle East, bringing roughly 9,000 additional personnel to the theater. This buildup could place three U.S. aircraft carriers in the region simultaneously by late October 2026. The deployments provide President Donald Trump with expanded military options against Iran as he warns of potential post-midterm election strikes and investigates suspected Iranian links to a recent FlyDubai pilot attack.
Deployment of the USS Makin Island
- ▪The USS Makin Island deployment includes the amphibious landing ships USS Anchorage and USS John P. Murtha, carrying approximately 2,200 Marines and 2,000 sailors.
- ▪The USS Makin Island amphibious ready group departed San Diego on September 28, 2026, carrying the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Middle East.
Deployment of the USS Theodore Roosevelt
- ▪The USS Theodore Roosevelt is scheduled to relieve the USS George Washington, which has been operating alongside the USS George H.W. Bush in the Middle East.
- ▪The arrival of the USS Theodore Roosevelt could place three U.S. aircraft carriers in the Middle East simultaneously by late October or November 2026.
- ▪The USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier departed San Francisco on September 27, 2026, to deploy to the Middle East.
Naval blockade of Iran
- ▪U.S. warships are enforcing a naval blockade against Iran, redirecting 125 commercial vessels since July 2026 to ensure compliance.
- ▪Approximately 18 U.S. surface warships are backing two aircraft carriers to enforce the naval blockade of Iran's southern coast.
Alleged Iranian link to FlyDubai attack
- ▪President Donald Trump warned that the United States would retaliate and hit Iran very hard if a link to the FlyDubai pilot attack is established.
- ▪President Donald Trump stated that early indications suggest Iran is linked to a FlyDubai co-pilot who stabbed his captain and attempted to crash an Israel-bound flight.
Trump on the war and the midterm elections
- ▪President Donald Trump acknowledged that the increasingly unpopular war with Iran could possibly threaten Republican Party chances in the November 2026 midterm elections.
- ▪President Donald Trump stated in a Time magazine interview that it is possible he will ramp up bombing in Iran after the November 2026 elections.
- ▪President Donald Trump predicted the conflict with Iran would end soon, while previously predicting it would conclude immediately after the November 2026 midterm elections.
Debatable claims
- ▪Ramping up US airstrikes on Iran after the midterm elections is justified
- ▪Deploying a third US aircraft carrier to the Middle East does more harm than good
Story comments
Loading comments…