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The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, has entered the Mediterranean Sea, stoking anxiety as U.S. officials weigh potential military action against Iran, maritime tracking data shows.
Ordered to the region last week by Donald Trump, the carrier strike group includes the USS Mahan, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer currently crossing the Strait of Gibraltar. Analysts say it will take the USS Gerald R. Ford several more days to reach positions in the Eastern Mediterranean and the broader Middle East.
An F/A-18F Super Hornet was captured in images released by the U.S. Department of Defense launching from the carrier’s flight deck during exercises in the region, a demonstration of the strike group’s capabilities.
The USS Gerald R. Ford in the Caribbean on January 19, 2026 (US Navy photo)
The deployment comes amid heightened concerns in Europe and the Middle East, where communities are watching closely as Washington debates whether to escalate military pressure against Iran. Experts say the presence of the USS Gerald R. Ford signals that the U.S. is prepared to respond quickly if tensions flare, raising fears of a potential conflict in the region.
Maritime analysts are monitoring the carrier’s movements closely, noting that such deployments are often intended both as a show of force and as a means of strategic positioning should diplomatic options fail.
USS GERALD R FORD CVN78 and support heading west through the STROG this afternoon⚓️ #shipsinpics #ships #shipping #shipspotting #naval @YorukIsik @air_intel @WarshipCam @seawaves_mag #navy pic.twitter.com/KzpCXKgm0G
— Daniel Ferro (@Gibdan1) February 20, 2026
*Source: The Times of Israel
