American warships reportedly preparing for new strikes on Iran
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American warships in the Middle East are preparing for a possible escalation of hostilities if President Donald Trump authorizes a new round of attacks on Iran in the coming weeks, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal citing US officials familiar with the planning.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that reporters were granted rare access to the USS George Washington aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer operating in the Arabian Sea.
They observed ongoing flight operations and a significant replenishment of munitions and supplies, including large deliveries of standoff land-attack missiles and bunker-buster bombs designed to penetrate hardened ground targets.
These preparations come amid an extended US-Iran conflict that has featured a naval blockade of Iranian oil exports, intermittent missile exchanges, and attacks on commercial shipping near the Strait of Hormuz.
Two US aircraft carrier strike groups are currently in the region, with a third on the way from the Pacific, alongside additional amphibious forces carrying Marines.
Officials have described the buildup as expanding military options rather than confirming any imminent order.
Trump has stated that the United States will not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections but has issued hawkish warnings.
At a Florida rally, he said the US military “may do another Epic Fury,” referring to earlier intensive bombing campaigns, and previously posted that unless Iran changes its behavior, the US and ‘Israel’ will “soon finish the job.”
Iran has responded defiantly.
Ali Abdollahi, chief of the general staff of the Iranian armed forces, said the US Navy cannot re-enter Iranian territorial waters or their periphery because of Tehran’s targeting capabilities.
“The US president can only dream of their soldiers and military again entering the Persian Gulf. They will take this wish to the grave for good,” he said in a statement carried by state media.
He added that Iranian forces were determined to “drown” the US and ‘Israel’ in a “quagmire.”
Diplomatic efforts to revive talks continue, with mediators in the region expressing concern that hostilities could flare again.
Oil prices have risen on the heightened risks, with Brent crude recently reaching levels not seen since earlier in the conflict.
US forces have also moved some personnel away from exposed bases amid threats from Iran and its Houthi allies.
