INFOGRAPHIC: How the US went beyond threats and surrounded Iran in the Middle East

Fears are growing that a possible US attack on Iran could trigger a war in the Middle East. The United States and Iran are experiencing an escalation of tensions amid negotiations to limit Iran’s nuclear program. On Thursday (19), President Donald Trump once again threatened an attack and stated that “very bad things” will happen to Iran if a deal is not reached. This Friday (20), he confirmed that he is considering attacking the country. ✅ Follow g1’s international news channel on WhatsApp ▶️ Context: The crisis gained strength in January, when Trump threatened to attack Iran following the repression of demonstrators protesting against the government. With the weakening of the acts, the American president began to focus on the Iranian nuclear program. The US wants Iran to limit or end its uranium enrichment program; Iran claims that the initiative is for peaceful purposes, but the White House accuses the country of trying to develop a nuclear weapon; According to the American press, the US also wants to restrict the range of Iranian ballistic missiles and end the country’s support for armed groups in the Middle East; Iran defends that the negotiations are limited to the nuclear program and claims to be willing to reduce the level of uranium enrichment in exchange for the end of sanctions; Two rounds of conversations took place in recent weeks: one in Oman, at the beginning of the month, and another in Geneva, on Tuesday (17). The US says there have been small advances. Even with negotiations underway, the US and Iran began to exchange military threats. In January, Trump ordered the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to the Middle East. According to the president, the objective was to monitor Tehran “closely”. In recent weeks, the US has sent a second aircraft carrier to the region. The USS Gerald R. Ford, which had assisted in the operation that captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, left the Caribbean for the Middle East. The forces sent were added to warships and military bases already maintained by the US in the region. In total, the Americans control at least 10 bases in countries neighboring Iran and maintain troops in nine others. 👉 See in the infographic below where the vessels are and where there are US soldiers. Editoria de Arte/g1 First shipment The US movement in the Middle East gained strength after Trump ordered the sending of the USS Abraham Lincoln to the region. Previously, the aircraft carrier participated in maneuvers in the South China Sea. In addition to the vessel, fighters and air defense systems were also deployed. The aircraft carrier has already served in the Middle East on other occasions, such as in the war in Afghanistan, after the attacks in 2001. It also served to support American forces in an operation against the Houthi rebel group, in 2024. The vessel can carry up to 5,500 crew members and is equipped with missile launchers and machine guns. According to the Navy, the USS Abraham Lincoln is a “floating airport” and can launch up to four planes per minute. The aircraft carrier houses several squadrons, including F-35 Lightning II and F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters, and has the capacity to transport up to 90 aircraft, including planes and helicopters. The task force also includes three other warships: USS Spruance, USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and USS Michael Murphy. 👉 See details of the USS Abraham Lincoln below. Discover the USS Abraham Lincoln, US aircraft carrier Gui Sousa/Arte g1 Largest in the world Pressure increased on Iran in February. Satellite photos recorded movements at military bases maintained by the US in the Middle East, with aerial reinforcement and missile positioning. At the same time, the US decided to send a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. Trump chose the USS Gerald Ford, the largest in the world, which was participating in an operation against international drug trafficking in the Caribbean. Incorporated into the Navy in 2017, the aircraft carrier has the capacity to transport up to 90 aircraft, including fighters and helicopters. The runway for landings and takeoffs has an area equivalent to three times the size of the Maracanã lawn. The strike group includes squadrons of F-18 fighters, military helicopters and three destroyers: USS Mahan, USS Bainbridge and USS Winston Churchill. 👉 See details of the USS Gerald Ford below. Discover the USS Gerald Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world and the most advanced in the United States Navy. Gui Sousa/Arte g1 Possibility of attack A report published by The Wall Street Journal on Thursday (19) stated that Trump is considering authorizing a limited attack against Iran to force the country to close an agreement. The operation could take place in the coming days, according to sources with knowledge of the matter. According to the newspaper, the idea of ​​a smaller offensive would be to avoid a broad confrontation and reduce the risk of significant retaliation from Tehran. The White House is considering hitting Iranian military or government targets. A limited attack could also pressure Iran to accept a treaty more favorable to the US, according to the WSJ. Trump will also authorize additional actions, also limited, to increase the pressure. The newspaper also stated that, if Iran maintains resistance in the negotiations, the US could begin a larger-scale campaign, with broader attacks and the aim of overthrowing the government of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to CBS News, the US Armed Forces are ready to launch an attack on Saturday (21). The Pentagon must transfer American employees in the Middle East to other regions for safety. The New York Times newspaper stated that Israel has been on high alert for weeks and has intensified preparations for a possible war. Also on Thursday, during the first meeting of the “Peace Council”, Trump said that there are “good conversations” with Iran to “make a meaningful agreement”. However, he said he must decide what to do “in about 10 days.” “Now is the time for Iran to join us on a path to peace. Iran needs to make a deal or bad things will happen,” he declared. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln transits the Strait of Hormuz in 2019 Zachary Pearson/US Navy via AP VIDEOS: most watched on g1

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