Carrier Group and Amphibious Ships Head to Middle East

The USS Theodore Roosevelt left San Diego on Sunday, bound for the Middle East, as another US force set sail a day later. Together, the carrier group and amphibious ships are expected to bring about 9,000 to 10,000 sailors and Marines to the region. They are due to arrive by the end of November, as President Donald Trump says renewed strikes on Iran remain possible. ^8,10

That November arrival would add to more than 50,000 US troops already in the region, according to officials cited by The Wall Street Journal. The Roosevelt could join two carrier groups already there, though the USS George Washington may return to Japan. Military officials have not decided how long to keep three carriers in the area. The USS Makin Island group carries about 2,200 Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. ^8,10

Those forces give US commanders more options if Trump orders an escalation, but the buildup also raises the stakes as the war remains deadlocked. Washington and Tehran have not agreed on Iran’s offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting the US blockade. The strait is a major route for oil shipments, and the conflict has disrupted fuel supplies. Brent crude rose 4.4 percent Thursday to $102.31 a barrel. ^7,16

That $102.31 price shows how military decisions can reach far beyond the battlefield: higher fuel costs are raising concerns about inflation, including in Europe. Trump has said he could resume bombing after the November midterm elections, while talks remain stalled. The ships are expected in the region by the end of November. By then, US leaders will face a clear choice about whether to keep this larger force in place. ^4,10