Donald Trump has authorized USS Gerald R Ford deployment for maximum pressure in the Middle East as Iran negotiations continue. The carrier’s transit from Caribbean operations will require approximately three weeks before joining the USS Abraham Lincoln, creating a concentration of naval power designed to maximize Trump’s diplomatic leverage on Tehran while maintaining credible military contingencies.
The deployment authorization came after Trump’s coordination meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in Washington, where both leaders discussed frameworks for potential Iran agreements. Netanyahu has maintained that Israel needs comprehensive deals addressing ballistic missile capabilities and proxy support alongside nuclear enrichment.
Iranian officials have demonstrated conditional flexibility on nuclear enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief that could provide economic benefits. However, Iranian leadership has categorically rejected broader demands regarding ballistic missiles and regional relationships, arguing these represent sovereign national security interests that cannot be subjected to external constraint.
The USS Gerald R Ford has been continuously deployed since June 2025, operating first in Mediterranean waters before Caribbean assignment where the carrier demonstrated capabilities in the January Maduro seizure. The Middle East redeployment extends an already exceptional deployment length.
Trump delivered escalating warnings to Iranian leadership throughout the week. Thursday brought characterizations of negotiation failure as potentially “very traumatic” for Tehran while suggesting agreement within approximately one month. Friday’s Fort Bragg appearance saw Trump indicate that fundamental political change in Iran might ultimately be more desirable.