WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews) — The U.S. Navy is significantly strengthening its forces in the Middle East, with the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford transiting toward the region as tensions with Iran persist over its nuclear program and regional activities.

The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the world’s largest aircraft carrier, recently crossed the Strait of Gibraltar after sailing across the Atlantic from the Caribbean, according to U.S. Navy officials and open-source tracking data. It is expected to join the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, which has been operating in the Arabian Sea since late January.

Defense analysts and reports indicate that this deployment contributes to a layered U.S. military posture, including multiple aircraft carriers, surface warships, submarines and support aircraft. The buildup has drawn attention amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

The Ford’s transit positions it potentially off the coast of Israel or in the eastern Mediterranean initially, before integrating into broader operations in the U.S. Central Command area, sources familiar with naval movements have said. Once fully in place, the U.S. could have two carrier strike groups available, providing substantial airpower and strike capabilities.

Accompanying assets include guided-missile destroyers — with estimates of around a dozen or more in the region across strike groups and independent operations — capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles. Reports also point to the presence of attack submarines equipped with Tomahawk missiles, though exact numbers remain classified.

Additional air support includes refueling tankers staged in locations such as Crete and Bulgaria, enabling extended operations, as well as E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft for airborne command and control — platforms typically associated with high-intensity operations.

Military commentator Ben Yaniv has highlighted the “multiple layers” of the U.S. war machine now positioned in the Middle East, describing a comprehensive force structure that includes carrier-based aviation, surface combatants, subsurface assets and enablers for sustained operations.

The deployments come as President Trump has pressed for a new nuclear agreement with Iran, warning of severe consequences if talks fail. U.S. officials have described the military movements as providing options to support diplomacy or respond to threats, without confirming immediate plans for action.

Iran has rejected unilateral demands and warned of retaliation to any aggression, while regional allies including Israel have advocated for stronger measures against Tehran’s missile and nuclear capabilities.

The Pentagon has not detailed exact timelines for the Ford’s arrival or full integration of forces, but tracking suggests it could reach the eastern Mediterranean or beyond in the coming days, depending on speed and routing.

No official U.S. statement has confirmed a specific “by Sunday” deadline for three full strike layers, though the ongoing repositioning highlights the rapid escalation of naval and air assets in response to the current standoff.