The United States government is moving one of its aircraft carriers to the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran, according to diplomats interviewed by the newspaper Financial Times and satellite image analyzes conducted by independent experts.
According to the newspaper, a strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln heads towards the region, in a move that comes after Washington withdrew part of its personnel and aircraft from the Al-Udeid air base, in Qatar, the main forward center of the US Central Command (Centcom) in the Middle East.
According to regional authorities cited by the British newspaper, the military movement fueled speculation about the possibility of US action against Tehran, although diplomats emphasize that the deployment could also have a dissuasive or strategic character, without an immediate indication of an attack.
The increase in the American military presence comes in parallel with intense diplomatic efforts to contain an escalation. According to the Financial Timesthe governments of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Turkey and Egypt have been pressing Washington for “moderation”, warning of the regional impacts of a possible confrontation, including risks to security and the global supply of oil and gas.
Iranian authorities threatened this Wednesday (14) a military reaction if the United States launches an offensive, stating that American bases in the region would be considered legitimate targets by Tehran.
Diplomats heard by Financial Times state that it is still unclear whether the deployment of the aircraft carrier represents a concrete step towards military action or an attempt to increase US bargaining power in likely negotiations with Tehran.
