US Aircraft Carrier Lincoln Nears Iran As Tensions Escalate

The US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group have arrived in the Middle East amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran, with both sides exchanging warnings of potential confrontation.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group has entered its area of responsibility. The deployment comes as former US President Donald Trump openly warned of a possible attack, while Tehran declared that it would respond to any aggression.

Amid the escalating rhetoric, Qatar stated that it will not allow its territory to be used for any military operation. Trump described the deployment as an “armada” and said the United States maintains a “huge fleet” heading toward Iran “just in case,” while adding that it may not ultimately need to use it.

The carrier’s arrival followed a warning from the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, who said Iranian forces have their “finger on the trigger.” Speaking from Davos, Trump warned that “if they do not stop with the nuclear issue, it will happen again,” referring to a previous summer attack.

Trump has repeatedly cautioned Iran’s leadership against killing peaceful protesters or executing detainees, identifying both actions as “red lines” that could trigger an American response.

In a statement posted on social media, CENTCOM said the mission of the USS Abraham Lincoln aims to “promote regional security and stability.” The strike group includes the guided-missile destroyers USS Frank E. Petersen Jr., USS Spruance, and USS Michael Murphy, along with F-35C fighter jets and MH-60R/S helicopters.

Washington has previously reinforced its military presence in the Middle East during periods of heightened tension, primarily for defensive purposes. The Pentagon is now moving additional fighter aircraft and air defence systems into the region and announced a weekend exercise to demonstrate combat air power.

Iran and its allies reacted sharply to the deployment. According to Nournews, General Mohammad Pakpour warned the United States and Israel to avoid “any miscalculation” and said the Revolutionary Guards stand ready to “carry out the orders of the Commander-in-Chief.”

Iranian Defence Ministry spokesperson General Reza Talaei-Nik warned that any attack would face a “more painful and decisive response.” Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq and Yemen also threatened new attacks.

Yemen’s Houthi movement hinted at a possible resumption of attacks on ships in the Red Sea by releasing a video captioned “Soon.” The group also re-aired footage from its January 2024 attack on the tanker Marlin Luanda as part of its campaign in support of the Palestinians.

The Iran-backed Iraqi paramilitary group Kataib Hezbollah warned that an attack on Iran would trigger an “all-out war” in the Middle East, stating that “a war against the Islamic Republic will not be a picnic.”

Lebanon’s Hezbollah also said it is preparing for a potential attack by the United States and Israel. Its leader, Sheikh Naim Qassem, stated that the group is “determined to defend itself” and said its actions will depend on developments on the ground.

The United Arab Emirates announced that it will not allow the use of its territory, airspace, or territorial waters for military operations against Iran. UAE authorities stressed that they will pursue diplomatic solutions through dialogue to de-escalate the crisis.