Third U.S. Carrier Expected in Middle East as Trump Keeps Strike Option Open

A third U.S. aircraft carrier is expected in the Middle East within days as the military prepares for a possible expansion of operations against Iran. President Donald Trump is weighing a delay in an attack unless Iran provokes again, while keeping the option of striking Iran’s underground nuclear facilities.

The incoming carrier was originally scheduled to replace one of the two U.S. carriers already in the region. If all three remain, the incoming vessel would join those two instead of taking over for one of them, extending the U.S. naval presence in the region if needed.

The United States has struck the facilities before, but the effectiveness of another attack is uncertain. U.S. intelligence agencies assess that renewed strikes would not significantly change Iran’s demands in negotiations.

The prospect of a wider operation puts oil and other risk-sensitive markets, including crypto, in focus.