Politico reported that the Trump administration has decided to transfer another aircraft carrier to the Middle East to increase fighter jets and firepower for the US military in the campaign against the Iran-backed Houthi forces.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered the combat group of aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman - currently operating in the Red Sea - to extend its deployment time by at least 1 month, according to two unnamed defense officials.
The USS Carl Vinson and its escort ships are expected to join the area next week, after completing exercises with Japan and South Korea in the East China Sea.
This is the second time in six months that the US has maintained two airline ship combat groups in the Middle East, but the first time under President Trump.
According to Politico, the transfer of the two aircraft carrier - a major military resource - shows that the US wants to increase control in the region, while the White House and the Pentagon previously affirmed that Asia should be a priority. This move could also put pressure on the US Navy's ship maintenance system, which is overloaded and outdated.
Since launching the campaign against the Houthis on March 15, the US has attacked dozens of targets in Yemen, focusing on missile launch sites and ammunition depots as well as the force's leaders.
Last week, in a statement on the social network Truth Social, President Trump affirmed that the Houthi forces must be "completely erased", and asked Iran to immediately stop supplying military equipment to the group.
According to the Jerusalem Post, the latest US move is seen as a strong message for Iran.
President Donald Trump has previously sent a letter proposing a dialogue, but warned Tehran that it will face a series of tough measures including blocking uranium enrichment or developing nuclear weapons if it does not accept negotiations.
In addition to the Navy, Washington also has air bases in the Persian Gulf with fighters such as the F-22, F-15E, F-16, A-10, and MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters.
The US and the Houthis have had many confrontations in the Red Sea since the war in the Gaza Strip broke out in 2023.
At that time, the Houthis continuously attacked cargo ships, including the US, passing through the Red Sea - the world's main commercial waterway - as a move to show support for Hamas, putting pressure on Israel to withdraw troops from Gaza.
