Washington, Jan 15 (V7N) — The United States is deploying an aircraft carrier strike group from the South China Sea to the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran.

According to US media outlet News Nation, the USS Abraham Lincoln has already departed for the region along with its fleet. The carrier strike group includes multiple warships, destroyers, frigates, and submarines.

The report said the deployment has been ordered by the Pentagon, and the carrier strike group is expected to arrive in the area of responsibility of US Central Command (CENTCOM) within the next week.

US Central Command oversees military operations across a vast region comprising 21 countries, including the Middle East, Northeast Africa, and parts of Central and South Asia.

The move comes at a time of heightened regional instability and growing concerns over a possible confrontation between Washington and Tehran, following weeks of diplomatic warnings, military posturing, and unrest in Iran.

US officials have not yet commented publicly on the specific objectives of the deployment, but analysts view the move as a show of force aimed at deterring further escalation in the region.

END/SMA/AJ