The United States is deploying a third aircraft carrier, the George H.W. Bush, to the Middle East, signaling preparations for a prolonged military campaign against Iran. The carrier and its strike group are expected to arrive in the eastern Mediterranean within two weeks, joining the Abraham Lincoln and the Gerald R. Ford already operating in the region. The buildup reflects expectations in Washington that the conflict could last for weeks or longer.

Operating three carrier strike groups would allow sustained military pressure on Iranian forces and infrastructure while rotating ships and crews to avoid exhaustion. The expanded presence is also intended to secure vital oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, where tanker traffic has dropped sharply since the war began. American forces plan to escort commercial vessels and help stabilize global energy markets amid rising insurance costs and security threats.

The deployment also sends a warning to the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen against escalating attacks on shipping and regional interests. President Donald Trump has framed the military buildup as part of a strategy demanding nothing short of Iran's complete surrender, reinforcing a message that the United States is preparing for a long and intensive campaign.