US Deploys Third Carrier Strike Group Toward Iran as War Enters Eighth Month

The United States is sending a third aircraft carrier toward Iranian waters, a US official has confirmed, marking a significant expansion of American naval power in the Middle East as the conflict approaches its eighth month. The USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group departed its home port in San Diego on Sunday, according to the official, who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity.

The deployment was followed just one day later by the Makin Island Marine Expeditionary Force, an amphibious group carrying more than 2,000 Marines. Together, these reinforcements will join the roughly 50,000 US service members already stationed across the region, creating one of the most concentrated assemblies of American military force in recent years.

By the end of November, the official said, three aircraft carriers and two amphibious landing groups will be positioned around Iran. This force posture represents a substantial escalation in military capability, providing President Donald Trump with what the official described as a wider menu of options should he decide to authorize new military action.

Al Jazeera's Tanya Noury, reporting from Washington, said the new deployment includes thousands of additional troops and significantly enhanced air power, including F-35 fighter jets. These advanced aircraft would layer on top of existing US air assets in the region, further strengthening the American military presence.

Citing sources within the Pentagon and White House, Noury reported that the objective is to keep military options firmly on the table for Trump regardless of how diplomatic efforts unfold. Notably, the Pentagon has indicated it does not plan to withdraw any assets even if an agreement with Iran is ultimately reached, suggesting Washington intends to maintain leverage throughout any negotiation process.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has publicly stated that forces are "ready to go" should Trump order new strikes. The comment underscores the administration's willingness to transition from diplomatic engagement to military action if circumstances require it, adding another layer of pressure on Tehran.

Trump himself has kept the threat of renewed conflict alive in public remarks. He told Fox News he believes the US is "going to win the war" with Iran "very soon," while suggesting in other comments that a return to military action "is possible" but something he would rather not detail before November's midterm elections. The political calendar appears to be weighing on the president's decision-making, with analysts noting the potential electoral consequences of either escalation or concession.

Alongside the military buildup, Washington has intensified economic pressure on Tehran. This week, the Treasury Department sanctioned Iran's rail and automotive conglomerates, describing the measures as an effort to drain what remains of Tehran's revenue. The sanctions target key sectors of Iran's economy, aiming to further constrain the country's financial resources as the conflict continues.

On the diplomatic front, Iran has pushed a seven-day roadmap, conveyed through Qatar, that would see it reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear talks. In exchange, Tehran seeks an end to the US naval blockade, sanctions relief, and a regional ceasefire covering Lebanon and Yemen. The proposal represents a comprehensive attempt to address multiple flashpoints simultaneously.

However, Trump rejected the plan. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz told NBC that the plan's demand for frozen funds and sanctions relief was non-negotiable. He noted that "these aren't just the United States' sanctions ... these are global sanctions," pointing to seven UN Security Council resolutions against an Iranian nuclear weapons program. The administration's position appears to be that any relief must be contingent on broader international consensus, not merely bilateral negotiations.

Iran's response to the diplomatic impasse has been similarly two-pronged. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC that Tehran was "fully prepared" to resume the war, before writing on X that "we did not come to New York to sell a war. We came to forge peace." The contrasting messages suggest Iran is attempting to maintain both deterrence and diplomatic flexibility.

Analysts say the mixed signals from both sides are deliberate. Abas Aslani of the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies said the dispute has shifted from whether to negotiate to "who is going to abandon the primary leverage first." This framing highlights the fundamental deadlock: both Washington and Tehran believe relinquishing their primary sources of pressure would leave them vulnerable in any final settlement.

Former US ambassador Richard Schmierer said Trump is caught between delaying past the midterms and the political cost of offering concessions that mirror a June deal he was already criticized for. The comparison to the earlier agreement suggests the political fallout from perceived leniency toward Iran remains a significant consideration for the administration.

Public opinion in the United States appears to be shifting against the conflict. Nearly 70 percent of Americans now say the war has not been worth fighting, according to a new AP-NORC poll. The survey results indicate growing war fatigue among the American public as the conflict drags on without a clear resolution.

Trump has brushed off the slide in his approval ratings, insisting that "the pollsters are corrupt." The dismissive response suggests the White House is not allowing public opinion to dictate military or diplomatic strategy, at least publicly. Whether that posture remains sustainable as the war continues and casualties potentially mount remains an open question.

The convergence of military escalation, economic sanctions, and stalled diplomacy presents a complex picture. The US appears committed to maintaining maximum pressure on multiple fronts, while Iran continues to seek relief through a combination of diplomatic proposals and threats of renewed conflict. With the midterm elections approaching and public sentiment increasingly skeptical, the coming weeks may prove decisive in determining whether the war expands further or moves toward a negotiated conclusion.