Will Trump strike Iran? Speculations rise after US aircraft carrier, warships reach Middle-East
Trump had earlier threatened a possible military strike against Tehran if the Iranian regime carried out mass executions of prisoners or killed peaceful demonstrators. As per reports, while nearly 6,000 people have been killed, over 41,000 have been detained in Iran.
Washington: Amid ongoing tensions between the United States (US) and Iran, the US Navy’s Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group reached the country’s Central Command area of responsibility. This has led to increase in speculations that President Donald Trump may order a strike on Iran.
USS Abraham Lincoln passes through Strait of Malacca
The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, passed through the Strait of Malacca. The aircraft carrier was accompanied by three missile destroyers, which provided escort to it. These missile destroyers were - USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG-121), USS Spruance (DDG-111) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112).
The United States Central Command, while taking a post on social media, said that the carrier as well as its strike group "is currently deployed to the Middle East to promote regional security and stability," news agency Associated Press reported.
Iran has witnessed massive protests in recent times
In recent times, Iran has witnessed massive protests across the country due to the deepening economic crisis and an increase in inflation. With thousands of protesters killed in the country and several arrested. Following this, Trump put his weight behind protesters and threatened the Iranian regime with an attack if required. This has led to a war of words between the two sides.
"We have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and maybe we won’t have to use it," Trump had earlier said, suggesting both the show of force and the uncertainty over whether the US might strike Iran.
Trump threatened a possible military strike earlier
Trump had earlier threatened a possible military strike against Tehran if the Iranian regime carried out mass executions of prisoners or killed peaceful demonstrators. As per reports, while nearly 6,000 people have been killed, over 41,000 have been detained in Iran, the agency reported further.
The US President had recently decided not to take further action against Iran, saying that the latter dropped its plan to execute nearly 800 protesters. However, Iran had rejected the claims of execution as completely false.
The Lincoln strike group’s arrival has come at a time when the US moved other assets into the Middle East. Among them are fighter jets and military cargo flights. With the arrival of the carrier, the US now has multiple military options in case Trump decides to take military action on Tehran.