Trump confirms second aircraft carrier to head to Middle East

• US President Trump has ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, to move from the Caribbean to the Middle East to join the USS Abraham Lincoln in a massive "armada" aimed at pressuring Iran during high-stakes nuclear negotiations.
• While indirect talks continue in Oman, Trump has warned Tehran of consequences—hinting at military action—if a deal is not reached within the next month, emphasizing that the increased naval presence is a contingency "in case we don't make a deal."

US President Donald Trump said Friday a second aircraft carrier group would be heading to the Middle East soon, upping the military threat against Iran amid negotiations over its nuclear program.

"It'll be leaving very shortly," Trump told journalists when asked about reports the USS Gerald R. Ford would be moved from the Caribbean to the Middle East.

"In case we don't make a deal, we'll need it."

Washington and Tehran began indirect talks last week over the future of Iran's nuclear program, and Trump on Thursday warned of "very traumatic" consequences for the country if it failed to make a nuclear deal.

Late last month, Trump sent the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and accompanying warships to the Gulf as Trump ramped up threats against Iran over its deadly crackdown on anti-government protests.

The vessels remain in the region.

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its escort ships will join that strike group after officials ordered it to the Middle East from its current deployment in the Caribbean Sea.

The USS Gerald R. Ford initially deployed in June and was soon directed to the Caribbean as part of Trump's pressure campaign on Venezuela.

Some of the carrier's warplanes participated in the deadly January 3 operation in Caracas that led to the abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.