Washington (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 07, 2026 – United States President Donald Trump announced a naval "armada" heading towards Iran, comprising the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and additional destroyers in the Middle East. The deployment, confirmed by US Central Command, aims to deter instability amid Iranian protests and tensions following failed diplomatic talks. CENTCOM released photos of the buildup hours after negotiations stalled, while Iranian officials announced naval drills near US warships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group entered Middle East waters on January 26, 2026, accompanied by guided-missile destroyers USS Frank E. Petersen Jr., USS Michael Murphy, and USS Spruance.
This force includes F/A-18E Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, E-2 Hawkeyes, MH-60 Sea Hawks, and F-35C Lightning IIs, bolstering US capabilities in the Persian Gulf region.
President Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One on January 22 after the World Economic Forum in Davos, described it as a
"big force going towards Iran"
and a
"substantial flotilla,"
stating the US was
"monitoring Iran"
while preferring no conflict.
Trump Announces Naval Buildup Amid Iran Tensions
Trump's remarks followed reports of the USS Abraham Lincoln redirecting from the South China Sea through the Malacca Strait towards the Arabian Sea.
US officials characterised the buildup as precautionary, linked to Iran's crackdown on 2025-2026 protests and potential threats after US-backed Israeli actions in June 2025.
The deployment enhances deterrence against regional instability, with two independently deployed guided-missile destroyers already operating near the Strait of Hormuz as of February 2.
Military analyst Shahryar Pasandideh questioned the scale, noting in an X post,
“Unless Trump is talking about American submarines heading toward Iran, there are no public indications of a "big fleet" or an "armada" heading toward Iran. A single carrier strike group and five additional destroyers already in the area ≠ an "armada" or even a particularly large deployment by longstanding US Navy standards in the Middle East or elsewhere, including the ongoing deployment of an aircraft carrier and accompanying warships near Venezuela. I do not understand why so many journalists decided to amplify this line of the White House's rhetoric, given the absence of publicly available information, including satellite imagery of warships in port around the world—warships are far too large to be hidden from satellites.”
Iran responded by announcing a two-day live-fire naval exercise in the Strait of Hormuz starting January 31, prompting CENTCOM warnings against unsafe operations like overflights or close speedboat approaches.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi warned in the Wall Street Journal that Tehran would retaliate
"with everything we have"
if attacked, describing it as a diplomatic reality rather than a threat.
Iran received Russian MiG-29 jets and Mi-28NE gunships, while state media reported preparations for potential conflict.
CENTCOM Shares Photos Post-Diplomatic Stalemate
CENTCOM confirmed the Lincoln group's arrival to
"promote regional security and stability,"
with Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stating the warships would not deter Tehran's resolve.
CENTCOM reporter Caitlin Doornbos observed in an X post,
“CENTCOM sharing photos of the US naval buildup in Iran hours after diplomatic talks (unsurprisingly) failed to achieve anything meaningful sure seems like no coincidence.”
Additional US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles relocated from Royal Air Force Lakenheath in the UK to bases in Jordan.
The buildup echoes prior US responses, such as preparations for June 2025 strikes on Iran's nuclear program, kept secret until execution.
No second supercarrier like USS George H.W. Bush, observed heading to Europe, has been redirected publicly to the region.
Context of US-Iran Escalation and Deployments
Tensions rose after Iran's violent response to anti-government demonstrations, prompting Trump's initial threats of intervention, later softened with assurances against protester executions.
The USS Abraham Lincoln's movement from the Western Pacific positioned it for rapid response in the Gulf by early February.
Iran planned joint drills with Russia and China later in February, while Revolutionary Guards denied immediate live-fire plans near US assets.
USNI News tracked USS Mitscher (DDG-57) among destroyers in the Gulf as of February 2, maintaining routine patrols.
Wikipedia documented the January 26 deployment as part of broader air, naval, and missile defence reinforcements.
Dawn reported Iran's
"comprehensive and regret-inducing response"
vow to any aggression.
Operational Details of Carrier Strike Group
The Nimitz-class USS Abraham Lincoln leads with cruisers, support vessels, and surveillance aircraft for comprehensive coverage.
Reuters confirmed entry into the CENTCOM area of responsibility, aligning with Trump's "massive fleet" description.
Forbes noted the carrier's transit could reach the Persian Gulf within a week of departure.
Al Jazeera detailed Trump's preference for non-use of the force, amid fears of escalation.
No public satellite imagery shows hidden warships beyond tracked groups, per standard naval transparency.
The deployment parallels routines near Venezuela, underscoring standard US Navy presence scales.
Iranian Counter-Moves and Regional Warnings
Iran's naval drill announcement targeted the Strait, a chokepoint for 20% of global oil transit.
CENTCOM's caution followed Iranian speedboat incidents, emphasising safe distances.
State media preparations at Behesht-e Zahra cemetery signalled defiance.
Trump left military options open post-threats, with the flotilla as a precautionary measure.
No further publicly confirmed reinforcements beyond the Lincoln group and destroyers reported by February 7.
Diplomatic failures preceded photo releases, heightening scrutiny.