WASHINGTON - The United States is moving roughly 9,000 additional sailors and Marines aboard naval vessels toward the Middle East as President Donald Trump considers whether to launch another round of military strikes against Iran, according to a U.S. official cited by The Associated Press.
The deployment includes more than 7,000 sailors and approximately 2,000 Marines traveling aboard a carrier strike group and an amphibious readiness group.
The force includes the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group and the USS Makin Island amphibious readiness group.
If all of the ships arrive as planned, the U.S. naval presence in the Middle East could rise above 20,000 sailors and Marines, along with hundreds of military aircraft.
The deployment represents a significant reinforcement of American naval power in a region already hosting two U.S. aircraft carriers and another amphibious group.
A U.S. official told the AP that as many as three American aircraft carriers could be operating in the region by the end of October.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the military movements.
The deployment does not by itself mean Trump has ordered new strikes against Iran.
It substantially expands the military options available to the president, however, at a time when he is publicly leaving open the possibility of renewed bombing.
Theodore Roosevelt strike group heading toward region
The incoming carrier force is centered on the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
The carrier recently deployed with the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin and additional escorts.
A carrier strike group typically provides a combination of fighter aircraft, electronic-warfare aircraft, helicopters, missile-defense capabilities and long-range strike options.
The Theodore Roosevelt can operate dozens of fixed-wing aircraft from its flight deck, giving U.S. commanders another mobile air base capable of conducting offensive and defensive missions without relying entirely on land bases in the region.
Its arrival would come as the USS George H.W. Bush and USS George Washington are already operating in the Middle East.
The George Washington was moved from its normal Pacific-area operations to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln following an unusually long deployment for the Lincoln's crew.
According to the AP, having three carrier strike groups in the region would recreate a level of U.S. naval concentration last seen in April, when three carriers were simultaneously operating in the Middle East for the first time since 2003.
Amphibious force adds about 2,000 Marines
The second major component of the new deployment is the USS Makin Island amphibious readiness group.
The group includes the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island as well as the amphibious transport dock ships USS John P. Murtha and USS Anchorage.
Approximately 2,000 Marines are embarked with the force.
Amphibious readiness groups give the United States capabilities that differ from those provided by aircraft carriers.
Embarked Marines can conduct crisis-response missions, raids, evacuations and other operations from the sea using helicopters, tiltrotor aircraft, landing craft and other equipment.
The Makin Island itself is capable of operating Marine Corps aircraft, including helicopters, MV-22 Ospreys and short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing aircraft depending on its deployed configuration.
The USS Boxer amphibious readiness group is already in the region, meaning the Makin Island deployment will further expand the naval expeditionary force available to U.S. commanders.
More than 20,000 naval personnel could be in region
The additional roughly 9,000 personnel would bring the number of sailors and Marines aboard U.S. naval forces in the Middle East to more than 20,000, according to the AP.
That figure covers naval personnel and Marines aboard the deployed ships and does not represent the total number of U.S. military personnel stationed throughout the broader Middle East.
The United States also maintains Air Force, Army and other military personnel at bases across the region.
The naval buildup therefore represents one component of a much larger U.S. regional military presence.
The concentration of carriers, amphibious ships, surface combatants and military aircraft gives U.S. commanders additional capacity for air defense, missile interception, strikes, maritime security and the protection of American forces and allies.
Trump says additional strikes are possible
The deployment comes as Trump publicly considers whether to intensify U.S. military operations against Iran.
In an interview with Time magazine published Thursday, Trump said it was possible he could increase bombing operations against Iran after the Nov. 3 U.S. elections.
He declined to discuss specific potential targets or operational plans.
Trump has also rejected Iran's latest proposal aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
He told Time that Tehran's proposal was not sufficient, despite an Iranian offer involving reopening the strategically important shipping corridor.
Those comments do not amount to an order for additional military action.
The president has not publicly announced a new target list, strike date or operational plan.
The larger naval force nevertheless gives the administration additional strike and defensive capacity if Trump decides to expand the campaign.
Tensions rise after cockpit attack
Trump also raised the possibility Thursday that Iran may have been connected to an attack aboard an Israel-bound FlyDubai flight.
Authorities say a co-pilot attacked the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft before others aboard intervened.
Asked whether investigators had found a connection between the attacker and Tehran, Trump said information he was receiving suggested the answer could be yes but that officials were still investigating.
He did not provide evidence publicly establishing Iranian involvement.
Trump warned that Iran would face severe retaliation if such a connection were confirmed.
No final U.S. investigative determination establishing that Iran directed the attack had been publicly announced at the time of the president's remarks.
The distinction is important because the potential Iranian connection remains an allegation under investigation rather than an established fact.
Iran conflict enters another uncertain phase
The naval reinforcement comes during the eighth month of the U.S.-Iran conflict.
Washington and Tehran have recently engaged in indirect diplomatic contacts through mediators, including Qatar, over proposals aimed at ending the fighting and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Those contacts have not produced a ceasefire.
Iran has demanded changes involving sanctions, restrictions on its oil trade and U.S. military pressure as part of its proposal.
The Trump administration rejected the initial Iranian plan while continuing indirect diplomatic engagement.
Iranian officials have said Tehran remains open to negotiations but will not abandon what it considers its nuclear rights.
Iran has also warned that it is preparing a stronger response if the United States launches additional attacks.
Reuters reported Thursday that senior Iranian military officials are preparing broader retaliation options that could involve U.S. interests and regional partners if another major U.S. attack occurs.
Those plans have not been independently verified by The American Desk, and the specific form of any Iranian response remains uncertain.
Strait of Hormuz remains central
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the central strategic issues in the conflict.
The narrow waterway connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and is one of the world's most important routes for crude oil, refined fuels and liquefied natural gas.
Iran has linked a full reopening of the strait to broader negotiations with Washington.
The United States has sought reliable freedom of navigation while maintaining military pressure on Tehran.
The prolonged instability around the waterway has contributed to major swings in global oil markets.
Oil prices rose more than 4% Thursday as traders reacted to the expanding U.S. military presence, the possibility of renewed strikes and additional global fuel-supply concerns.
Reuters reported Brent crude rising above $102 a barrel during Thursday trading.
The relationship between the military buildup and energy prices illustrates the broader economic consequences of the conflict even before any new strikes are ordered.
Current force already unusually large
The Navy currently has the USS George H.W. Bush carrier strike group and USS George Washington carrier strike group operating in the region.
The USS Boxer amphibious readiness group is also present.
Theodore Roosevelt and Makin Island would add another carrier group and amphibious force.
The resulting deployment would give U.S. Central Command an unusually large concentration of sea-based aviation and Marine forces.
Carrier strike groups also include missile-capable cruisers or destroyers able to contribute to air and missile defense and launch long-range weapons.
That capability is particularly relevant because Iranian forces possess large numbers of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones capable of threatening U.S. bases, ships and regional allies.
U.S. naval ships have participated in intercepting Iranian missiles and drones during earlier phases of the conflict.
The additional forces could therefore be used defensively even if Trump ultimately decides against another major offensive operation.
A buildup does not guarantee military action
Large military deployments can serve several purposes, including deterrence, force protection and providing presidents with additional options during negotiations.
The movement of approximately 9,000 additional personnel should therefore not be interpreted as confirmation that another attack on Iran is imminent.
Trump has publicly discussed the possibility of additional strikes while also allowing indirect diplomatic contacts with Tehran to continue.
The administration could use the expanded force to pressure Iran during negotiations, protect existing U.S. assets or prepare for offensive operations if diplomacy fails.
Pentagon officials had not publicly announced a specific offensive mission for the incoming ships Thursday.
The ultimate decision on whether to conduct new strikes remains with Trump and the military chain of command.
Potential third carrier by end of October
The timing of the deployment means the United States could have three aircraft carriers operating in the Middle East by late October.
Such a deployment is logistically significant because carriers require extensive escort, supply and aviation support.
Maintaining several carrier strike groups in one theater also affects Navy deployments elsewhere in the world.
The United States has repeatedly shifted carriers between the Indo-Pacific and Middle East during periods of heightened tension.
The George Washington's movement from its normal Pacific deployment is one example of the broader strategic tradeoffs involved.
Theodore Roosevelt's arrival would deepen that commitment as Washington simultaneously manages military competition with China and other global responsibilities.
What happens next
Theodore Roosevelt and the Makin Island amphibious readiness group are now moving toward the Middle East.
Their arrival could push the U.S. naval presence above 20,000 sailors and Marines and place three aircraft carriers in the region by the end of October.
Trump has not announced a decision to begin a new bombing campaign.
The next major developments could come from the ongoing investigation into the FlyDubai cockpit attack, further U.S.-Iran diplomatic contacts or a presidential decision on additional military operations.
For now, the deployment represents a significant increase in American military power positioned near Iran at a moment when both diplomacy and the possibility of further escalation remain active.