US May Add Carrier and 10,000 Troops to Mideast, Official Says

US officials are indicating the Pentagon may soon add a carrier group and 10,000 Marines and sailors to the Persian Gulf, providing commanders with more options if President Trump decides to escalate attacks on Iran. The USS Theodore Roosevelt departed San Diego on Sunday, with the official confirming no final destination has been decided.

Should the Roosevelt arrive in the Middle East, it would bring the region's carrier strike groups back to three, matching the initial force at the war's start. The Roosevelt's accompanying 5,000 sailors, Marines, and support vessels would enhance the region's military presence. The USS George HW Bush and the USS George Washington will also stay in the area.

This deployment would mark the last time the US had three carrier strike groups in the Middle East before the 2026 Iraq invasion. US Central Command declined to discuss unit schedules due to operational security concerns. The USS Makin Island, carrying an assault ship, aircraft, and 2,200 Marines, recently left, augmenting Centcom's options.

The USS Boxer, already near the Strait of Hormuz, continues operations. Analyst Ronald O'Rourke warns that maintaining three carriers for an extended period could strain the Navy's readiness, especially after recent deployments of the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS Gerald Ford. However, maintaining a two-carrier presence over time would pose a lesser strain.

Diplomatic talks between the US and Iran have stalled, with issues like Tehran's control of the Strait of Hormuz remaining unresolved. Iran's foreign minister recently suggested Tehran might allow nuclear inspectors access to bombed facilities in exchange for sanctions relief.