United States Sends Carrier Theodore Roosevelt and Its Strike Group to the Middle East

The U.S. Department of Defense has sent the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt and its strike group to the Middle East.

The carrier and its group left San Diego last Sunday, with about 10,000 personnel on board, and are sailing to the region to join the aircraft carriers George W. Bush and George Washington that are already there.

A U.S. official said on Thursday that the Roosevelt departed San Diego with its strike group bound for waters near Iran in the Middle East. He added that the amphibious assault group Makin Island left San Diego last Monday for the region, carrying more than 2,000 Marines.

The official said three aircraft carriers and two amphibious groups will be deployed around Iran by the end of next November, saying the buildup of forces in the Middle East will give U.S. commanders multiple options for dealing with Iran.

In a related development, U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at the possibility of resuming heavy strikes against Iran after the U.S. midterm elections, saying, "I wanted the Iran war to be short at first, but now I will continue the mission to the end." He added, "What I refused at the start of negotiations with Iran I will refuse today," and continued, "Iran briefly closed the Strait of Hormuz, but control is now ours."