The U.S. Department of Defense has begun the transfer of a carrier strike group from the South China Sea to the area of responsibility of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which covers the Middle East and adjacent regions. According to information released, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) would be the main unit involved in this movement.
According to a source, the movement of the strike group—which includes the aircraft carrier, surface escorts, and at least one attack submarine—would take approximately one week. The decision comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Iran, alongside an escalation of internal protests in that country.
The area of responsibility of U.S. Central Command covers more than 4 million square miles, including Northeast Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia. In total, it encompasses 21 countries, including Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan.
In this context, Iran issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) restricting flights to and from Tehran. At the same time, U.S. personnel at a key military base in Qatar received evacuation recommendations, while the United Kingdom advised against all non-essential travel to Israel.
Diplomatic reactions
The U.S. Department of State issued a security alert for its personnel and citizens in Qatar. In a statement released on social media, officials said: “Given ongoing regional tensions, the U.S. Embassy in Doha has advised its personnel to exercise increased caution and limit non-essential travel to Al Udeid Airbase. We recommend U.S. citizens in Qatar do the same. The U.S. Mission to Qatar continues to monitor the situation.”
In parallel, President Donald Trump stated that Tehran may have reduced the intensity of its repression against protesters while seeking to negotiate with Washington. Nevertheless, Iranian state television broadcast a message that was interpreted as a direct warning to the U.S. president.
On the political front, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham met with Reza Pahlavi, the Iranian crown prince in exile. In a video published on the social network X, Graham stated: “I believe with all my heart that help is on the way.” Asked by Reuters about Pahlavi, Trump said: “He seems very nice, but I don’t know how he’d play within his own country. And we really aren’t up to that point yet.”
From Asia-Pacific to the Middle East
Prior to its redeployment, the USS Abraham Lincoln was operating within the area of responsibility of the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet, taking part in naval exercises in the South China Sea and across areas of the Indo-Pacific. In that context, embarked F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters carried out routine air operations aimed at maintaining the operational readiness of the air wing.
These activities included ship self-defense exercises, with live-fire drills of the CIWS system. According to official U.S. Navy material: “USS Abraham Lincoln fires a Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) during live-fire exercises on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy ship while operating in the U.S. Seventh Fleet.”
Broader international context
The transfer of the U.S. strike group takes place while China, Russia, and Iran, together with South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, are conducting the naval exercise Will for Peace 2026 in African waters, under the BRICS Plus framework. The maneuvers include rescue operations, maritime attack drills, and technical exchanges, and are being conducted in Simon’s Town, a strategic point between the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.
From South Africa, Commander Nndwakhulu Thomas Thamaha stated that the exercise is “more than a military exercise” and seeks to strengthen maritime security cooperation.
In this scenario, the redeployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln reinforces the U.S. naval presence in the Middle East, in a context marked by regional tensions, diplomatic movements, and simultaneous military exercises by global powers across different strategic theaters.
Images for illustrative purposes.
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