Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated following threats from President Trump over Tehran's crackdown on civilian protesters. The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, previously in the South China Sea, has entered the Indian Ocean and is advancing toward the Arabian Sea, potentially arriving by January 23. The carrier is escorted by destroyers and nuclear-powered submarines, carrying up to 60 F/A-18 strike aircraft capable of striking targets up to 2,300 km away. Additionally, Ohio-class guided missile submarines, each armed with 154 Tomahawk missiles, may be deployed to enhance underwater strike capacity. U.S. C-17 flights to Jordan have delivered Patriot 3 missile batteries to protect Israel from potential Iranian retaliation, while B2 stealth bombers from Diego Garcia or the U.S. mainland could offer further strategic options. This military buildup mirrors June’s Operation Midnight Hammer, raising questions about America’s objectives in the region.
