The U.S. Department of Defense has concluded the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier’s mission in the Middle East and decided to return it to its base, according to officials reported by the “Times of Israel.”
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had ordered the Roosevelt to extend its deployment briefly and remain in the region while accelerating the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln to the area. The Biden administration has bolstered the U.S. military presence in the region to help defend Israel from potential attacks by Iran and its proxies and protect U.S. forces.
For a long time, U.S. military leaders in the Middle East have claimed that the presence of an American aircraft carrier and accompanying warships serves as an effective deterrent in the region, particularly against Iran. Since the Israeli war on Gaza began in October last year, there has been a continuous presence of an aircraft carrier in the region, which Washington has reinforced with an additional carrier at the same time.
The recent tensions in the Middle East that have necessitated a heightened U.S. military presence involve several key factors. The U.S. has increased its military footprint in the region in response to escalated threats from Iran and its proxies against Israel. This escalation followed Israel’s attacks on Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, which led to threats of retaliation from these groups. In response, the U.S. has deployed additional military resources, including an aircraft carrier strike group and fighter jets, to ensure the defense of Israel and the safety of U.S. forces in the area.
