Trump Deploys Second Aircraft Carrier to Middle East as Strikes on Houthis Intensify

The United States is sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East as the Trump administration intensifies airstrikes against Houthis in Yemen, marking a significant escalation in the region.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group—currently stationed in the Red Sea—to extend its deployment by at least a month, according to two defense officials, cited in a Politico report. 

The USS Carl Vinson and its escorting destroyers will soon join the Truman, marking the second time in six months that the U.S. has had two carrier strike groups in the region—but the first such move under the Trump administration.

Increased military presence

The USS Carl Vinson has been conducting joint exercises with Japan and South Korea in the East China Sea. Its arrival in the Middle East signals a shift in U.S. military priorities, as the White House and Pentagon have previously emphasized Asia as the primary theater of focus.

While the Pentagon has not officially confirmed the exact timeline for the Vinson’s arrival, its deployment underscores a major commitment of military resources to the region. The extended presence of two carrier groups will also strain Navy maintenance schedules, as shipyards are already dealing with repair backlogs.

Escalation against Houthis

Since launching a new military campaign against the Houthis last week, U.S. forces have carried out numerous airstrikes targeting missile launch sites, storage facilities, and key Houthi leadership.

President Trump, addressing the situation on his Truth Social account, warned that the Iran-backed Houthis would be “completely annihilated” by U.S. airstrikes. He also issued a strong message to Tehran, demanding that Iran “immediately” stop supplying military equipment to the militant group.

Strategic shift in U.S. military focus

The decision to send a second carrier strike group to the Middle East comes at a time when U.S. officials have repeatedly emphasized the need to prioritize military resources in Asia, particularly in response to rising tensions with China.

However, the ongoing conflict in Yemen and continued Houthi attacks on regional allies appear to have prompted a shift in immediate military strategy.