US to deploy third carrier group and Marines to Middle East
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The US will deploy the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group and additional Marine Corps forces to the Middle East, increasing troop levels by 9,000–10,000. The carrier left San Diego on September 27 and the Makin Island amphibious group departed September 28, with arrival expected by late November. The move comes after President Trump threatened renewed strikes on Iran following the November midterm elections.
Key Facts
- The USS Theodore Roosevelt departed San Diego on September 27, 2026.
- The USS Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, carrying Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, departed on September 28, 2026.
- The deployment will add 9,000–10,000 US troops to the Middle East.
- By late November, three carrier strike groups and two amphibious groups could be positioned near Iran.
- The US currently has about 50,000 troops and two carriers, USS George H.W. Bush and USS George Washington, in the Middle East.
Deployment Details
The USS Theodore Roosevelt will become the third US aircraft carrier deployed to the Middle East, according to The Jerusalem Post citing a US official. The carrier and an additional Marine Corps division are to be deployed to the US Central Command area of operations. The USS Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, consisting of three amphibious ships carrying Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, departed on September 28. The group is expected to reach the Middle East by late November.
Iran Context
The decision follows President Donald Trump's threats to strike Iran again after the November midterm elections, according to Yedioth Ahronoth. The Jerusalem Post notes that before the US midterm elections, this deployment will give Trump significantly greater military capabilities and a wider range of potential actions regarding Iran. By late November, three carrier strike groups, two amphibious groups, and rapid-deployment Marine units could be positioned near Iran, according to Al Jazeera citing a US official. On September 20, all US embassies in the Middle East issued emergency warnings to American citizens about the risk of 'unforeseen escalation' of military conflict.
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