A third U.S. aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush, and its accompanying warships have arrived in waters near Iran, significantly bolstering President Donald Trump's military options as he pushes Tehran to make concessions on its nuclear program, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end a protracted conflict that has destabilized much of the region.
The USS George H.W. Bush, accompanied by guided-missile destroyers and other warships, entered the Persian Gulf on Thursday, according to officials, marking a significant escalation in military pressure on Iran's government.
President Trump has been pressing Tehran to make concessions on its nuclear program, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end a weeks-long conflict that has destabilized much of the region. The USS George H.W. Bush's arrival adds to the military muscle already deployed by Washington in the region, including two other aircraft carriers.
The U.S. move comes as tensions between Iran and the West have been escalating over Tehran's nuclear program and its ballistic missile tests. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for oil and natural gas, has been closed due to the conflict, disrupting global energy supplies.
Washington has accused Iran of sponsoring terrorism and violating international agreements on its nuclear program, while Tehran has denied any wrongdoing and accused Washington of meddling in its internal affairs.