WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is increasing the Navy warship presence in the Middle East by deploying two aircraft carriers next month as the U.S. steps up strikes against the Yemen-based Houthi rebels, a U.S. official revealed.
This marks the second time in six months that the U.S. has maintained two carrier strike groups in the region, a departure from the usual presence of only one. Before this, it had been years since the U.S. had dedicated such significant warship power to the Middle East.
Hegseth signed orders on Thursday to extend the USS Harry S. Truman’s mission in the Middle East for at least an additional month. The official, speaking anonymously to discuss ongoing military operations, revealed that the ship had been engaged in operations in the Red Sea against the Houthis and had initially been scheduled to return to Norfolk, Virginia, by the end of March.
Furthermore, Hegseth directed the USS Carl Vinson, currently operating in the Pacific, to head towards the Middle East, thereby extending its deployment by three months. The Vinson is expected to reach the region early next month after wrapping up exercises with Japanese and South Korean forces near the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan. Originally set to return to San Diego in three weeks, the Vinson’s repositioning aims to bolster the ongoing U.S. campaign against the Iran-backed Houthis.
The increased U.S. naval presence not only provides additional resources for patrols and strikes but also sends a clear message of deterrence to Iran, a key supporter of the Houthis. The Houthis have persistently targeted commercial and military ships in the region, launching more than 100 attacks with missiles and drones between November 2023 and January this year. Their leadership claimed these attacks were in response to Israeli actions against Hamas in Gaza.
By shifting the Vinson and its warships away from the Indo-Pacific region, Hegseth’s move underscores the current focus on countering the Houthis. Recent U.S. actions have included a concentrated assault against the militant group, with a series of attacks over the weekend continuing into this week.
President Donald Trump’s administration had relaxed the authorization required for offensive strikes against the Houthis, empowering U.S. Central Command to act as deemed necessary. In contrast, President Joe Biden’s administration had mandated White House approval for such actions, though defensive strikes were permitted, including preemptive measures against potentially threatening weapon systems.
Previous deployments last fall saw two carriers stationed in the region for several weeks, as the U.S. bolstered its military presence to enhance defenses for Israel and protect American troops amidst rising tensions with Iran and its proxies.
