The Pentagon is preparing to deploy a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East within two weeks, according to a Wall Street Journal report published on February 10, 2026. This move comes amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with the USS George H.W. Bush reportedly completing training exercises off Virginia’s coast ahead of a potential accelerated deployment.
If ordered, the carrier would join the USS Abraham Lincoln, already stationed in the region. This would mark the first dual-carrier presence since March 2025, when U.S. forces targeted Houthi rebels in Yemen. While U.S. officials emphasize no final decision has been made, the development follows indirect talks between Tehran and Washington in Muscat on February 6—their first dialogue since U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025.
Analysts suggest the deployment could serve as leverage during ongoing negotiations, though regional stability remains precarious. Business leaders are monitoring potential impacts on oil markets, while security experts warn of heightened risks for commercial shipping lanes.
