The US is sending a third aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops to the Middle East as President Donald Trump weighs renewed military action against Iran or a return to negotiations ahead of the midterm elections.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group and USS Makin Island amphibious readiness group left port in early October, the Wall Street Journal reported. The deployments will add roughly 7,000 sailors and 2,000 to 3,000 Marines to the US military presence in the region.
The new forces are scheduled to arrive by late November, although some officials said three aircraft carriers could be assembled in the region as early as the end of October.
Two US carriers, the USS George H.W. Bush and USS George Washington, are already operating in the Middle East. The USS George Washington relieved the USS Abraham Lincoln in August.
About 20 Navy ships are also believed to be operating in the region and assisting with escort operations.
The additional deployment comes as Trump considers whether to resume military action against Iran or pursue talks. It also comes ahead of the US midterm elections.
Last week, Trump rejected a seven-day cease-fire proposal from Iran, calling the offer unacceptable. Tehran had indicated that it would open the Strait of Hormuz during the proposed cease-fire.
Top administration officials have maintained that the US is already getting oil through the critical chokepoint.
