carriers

Here’s TWZ’s weekly carrier tracker monitoring America’s flattop fleet, including deployed Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) and Amphibious Ready Groups (ARG), using publicly available open-source information. Check out last week’s report here.

The U.S. blockade is back on beginning tomorrow. “We are reinstating the Iranian blockade,” President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social today after days of escalatory tit-for-tat exchanges between the U.S. and Iran while negotiations falter. Following the President’s announcement, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released a statement with additional information, stating the blockade would begin on July 14 at 4:00pm eastern time. “CENTCOM forces will enforce the blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas. The U.S. military continues to support traffic flow through regional waters for all vessels not violating the blockade.” During the first blockade from April 13 to June 18, the Navy redirected more than 140 compliant commercial vessels and kinetically disabled nine that were non-compliant.

CENTCOM recently confirmed that more than 20 U.S. Navy ships are operating in the Middle East. On June 30, the majority of that force, including USS Abraham Lincoln, USS George H.W. Bush, and USS Tripoli, were pictured together in a photo exercise (PHOTOEX) and massive show of force with 16 other ships in the northern Arabian Sea. Two flights of 14 aircraft each from Carrier Air Wings (CVW) 7 and 9 conducted a flyover. Abraham Lincoln passed the 200 consecutive days at sea mark on the same day.

Thousands of miles away, the sea phase of the biennial exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 is underway. USS Theodore Roosevelt, amphibious assault ship USS Essex, and the other U.S. and international ships participating, steamed one by one out of Pearl Harbor last week. “The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans.” In the opening days, Roosevelt conducted flight operations with embarked Super Hornets and Hawkeyes, carried out general quarters drills, small boat operations, a refueling-at-sea evolution with USNS Guadalupe south of Oahu, and embarked partner navies including Philippines, South Korea, New Zealand, Poland, Germany, and more. During the large-scale exercise, which runs through the end of the month, the decommissioned Ticonderoga class cruiser ex-USS Mobile Bay and amphibious warship ex-USS Peleliu will be sunk by U.S. and partner forces.

Notably, medium displacement unmanned surface vehicle (MDUSV) Sea Hunter was spotted leaving Pearl Harbor on July 7 (albeit with a manned crew). Sea Hunter, made by Leidos, is the sister ship of Seahawk, which worked up with the Roosevelt CSG during COMPTUEX training in April. Both are actively training and it’s possible one could deploy with the CSG, which would mark the first hybrid manned-unmanned CSG, but these are older test assets that were not initially built for long deployments. Roosevelt sits at the leading edge of the Navy’s “tailored force pairing” concept, which could include integrating naval drones into CSG operations, but the MDUSV selected to deploy with the group has not been announced.

The nearly 3,000 Sailors aboard USS Nimitz arrived at Naval Station Norfolk on July 9, marking the completion of a four-month transit and homeport shift. Nimitz left Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Washington, in March and circumnavigated South America, participated in Southern Seas and embarked officials from multiple countries, sailed in Fleet Exercise (FLEETEX) 250, and pulled into New York Harbor for the International Naval Review 250 and July 4 celebrations. “Nimitz will be permanently homeported in Naval Station Norfolk, training Naval Aviation’s next generation of warfighters, while standing ready to answer the Nation’s call as it has for the past 51 years.” Nimitz, back in Norfolk for the first time in nearly 40 years, was slated to be taken offline this year but her service life was extended before expected decommissioning in 2027.

USS Gerald R. Ford, which returned home in May following a historic 11-month deployment, entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in advance of her Planned Incremental Availability (PIA). This is Ford’s first scheduled availability at a public shipyard and comes after a twice-extended combat deployment. “A PIA is a scheduled period for an aircraft carrier to undergo extensive maintenance, repairs and modernization to meet future operational demands, spanning a wide array of overhauls and inspections. Additionally, a concurrent availability will be conducted to restore spaces damaged during a fire aboard the then-deployed carrier in March 2026.” Ford’s arrival at NNSY follows the early PIA completions for Nimitz-class aircraft carriers USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in April 2026, and USS George H.W. Bush in November 2024, according to a statement by U.S. 2nd Fleet.

USS George Washington, America’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, is conducting flight operations in the Philippine Sea. Washington carried out a replenishment-at-sea (RAS) evolution with USNS Earl Warren while underway in the Western Pacific on July 9, and recently participated in exercise Valiant Shield, teaming up with Japan, New Zealand, and Australia to sink a decommissioned amphibious warship. The ex-USS Juneau absorbed several hits from Washington’s air wing, including F-35Cs and F/A-18s, as well as long-range anti-ship missiles (LRASM) fired by U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers, and air and sea-launched effects shot by allied forces. “George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet.”

On the amphibious front, the Boxer ARG arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility (AOR) in early July. “Boxer is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East,” according to U.S. 5th Fleet. USS Tripoli, which has been the sole ARG in CENTCOM since March, participated in the PHOTOEX with the two carriers and has since moved farther east in the Indian Ocean, crossing into the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) AOR. Boxer may have relieved Tripoli, which has been there for more than four months, or Tripoli could be heading for a port call, emergent repairs, or, potentially, back home. Tripoli’s latest position via AIS and satellite imagery is unknown. Three additional amphibious assault ships have been operating and training around the United States: USS Kearsarge, USS Makin Island, and USS Essex. Two-thirds of the Iwo Jima ARG (less the flagship USS Iwo Jima), amphibious transport dock ships USS Fort Lauderdale and USS San Antonio, are back in the Caribbean and were recently docked pierside in La Guaira, Venezuela, to support the earthquake relief mission.

Overall, three U.S. carriers are deployed, three are training or in port in various states of readiness, four are in maintenance, and one is being used primarily for training. Two amphibious ready groups are deployed, four are working up or in port, and three are getting wrenched on.

Note: Positions are general approximations. Non-deployed LHA/LHD amphibious warships are not shown.

Contact the author: ian.ellis-jones@teamrecurrent.io

Here’s TWZ’s weekly carrier tracker monitoring America’s flattop fleet, including deployed Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) and Amphibious Ready Groups (ARG), using publicly available open-source information. Check out last week’s report here.

Amphibious assault ship USS Boxer finally arrived in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR), months after reports of a surge deployment in March to reinforce troops in the Middle East during the war against Iran. Boxer deployed on March 18 and transited the Pacific westbound before entering the Indian Ocean in early May, but never crossed into the CENTCOM AOR. Rather than continue to the Middle East, the ARG disaggregated: Boxer doubled back to Singapore and the South China Sea, where Portland was still operating, while Comstock moved on to CENTCOM. Boxer and Portland transited the Malacca Strait northbound in late June and have re-aggregated with Comstock in the AOR.

The U.S. now has four big-deck warships on station in the Middle East – two aircraft carriers, USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George H.W. Bush, and two amphibious assault ships, USS Tripoli and USS Boxer – representing a step up in naval force posture while negotiations with Iran develop. In contrast, the U.S. appears to be drawing down its forward-deployed strategic bomber forces, with the last B-52 Stratofortress bombers departing RAF Fairford last week, according to plane spotters.

USS Nimitz, on her final transit, arrived in New York City on July 3 and anchored off the coast of Stapleton, Staten Island, ahead of the International Naval Review (INR) 250 on July 4. Nimitz sat at anchor in New York Harbor during INR 250, the pinnacle event of the Navy’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday and the largest international maritime event in U.S. history, which featured over 70 U.S. and allied naval vessels and tall ships. Before pulling into New York, Nimitz departed Mayport, Florida, last week and steamed up the east coast while conducting ordnance offload. The Boeing MQ-25 Stingray demonstrator drone, also known as the T-1, was on full display once again.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower moored in Norfolk on July 2 after a two-week work-up supporting Carrier Qualifications (CQ) and East Coast Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS). Student naval aviators were aboard and successfully completed CQ from June 27-30, according to a release on DVIDS. “The multi-day training evolution focused on developing the next generation of fleet aviators, specifically highlighting pilots navigating the E-2 Hawkeye pipeline.” Eisenhower is preparing to deploy in early 2027, TWZ previously reported.

USS Carl Vinson returned to San Diego after completing flight deck certifications and CQ with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 from June 25 to July 1. The Navy formally announced the completion of her nine-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA), which TWZ reported last month. “Our Sailors’ efforts were vital in preparing Carl Vinson to return to sea,” Cmdr. Paul Novess, Carl Vinson’s maintenance officer, said. “It was my honor to bring Sailors from all rates into our 13 production teams to safely execute more than 359,000 man hours of maintenance.”

USS Theodore Roosevelt and amphibious assault ship USS Essex just wrapped up the in-port phase of RIMPAC 2026 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Both ships, along with several other participating units, have been hosting public events and open tours for the local community and visiting service members. The sea phase of the exercise is set to begin this week. Roosevelt was leaving Pearl Harbor, according to public AIS data, at the time of publication.

After participating in the live-fire SINKEX of USS Juneau last week, USS George Washington has continued operations in the Western Pacific. The flattop and embarked CVW-5 were recently spotted in the Philippine Sea conducting flight operations, live-fire shooting drills, nighttime fast rope exercises, small boat evolutions, and physical training on the flight deck. Washington is operating alongside guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls, guided-missile destroyers USS Shoup and USS Benfold, and fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota.

Note: Positions are general approximations. Non-deployed LHA/LHD amphibious warships are not shown.

Contact the author: ian.ellis-jones@teamrecurrent.io

Here’s TWZ’s weekly carrier tracker monitoring America’s flattop fleet, including deployed Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) and Amphibious Ready Groups (ARG), using publicly available open-source information. Check out last week’s report here.

Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 embarked on USS George Washington, including F/A-18 Super Hornets, F-35C Lightning IIs, and an E-2D Hawkeye, participated in a live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) during exercise Valiant Shield in the Western Pacific over the weekend. The ex-USS Juneau, a decommissioned Austin-class amphibious transport dock ship that was involved in both the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm, was sent to the bottom by U.S. and partner forces approximately 40 nautical miles northeast of Guam.

“The evolution brought together air, surface, and subsurface assets in coordinated strikes, allowing crews to sharpen critical skills in weapons employment and target engagement under realistic conditions that no simulator can fully replicate,” according to a press release from Task Force 70 Public Affairs. A torpedo fired by a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force diesel-electric submarine, JS Jingei, delivered the final blow.

A few thousand miles to the east, USS Theodore Roosevelt, with a packed flight deck, arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, on June 23 ahead of the biennial exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026. The 30th iteration of RIMPAC is the largest ever and will feature 30 partner nations, 31 surface ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 200 aircraft, and 30,000 personnel in and around the Hawaiian Islands. Roosevelt hosted service members from partner nations and the local community during an open ship tour event over the weekend.

Back in the continental United States, USS Nimitz joined 25 other ships for a fleet formation photo exercise (PHOTOEX) in the Atlantic Ocean on June 25 as part of the inaugural Fleet Exercise (FLEETEX) 250. FLEETEX, a large-scale multinational maritime exercise, includes a series of “structured multilateral training events at-sea, aimed at building cohesiveness, validating tactical procedures, and strengthening the interoperability of participating units.” Warships, aircraft, and personnel from the U.S. and 13 allied countries were involved in the two-week exercise that wrapped up today.

Nimitz pulled into Mayport, Florida, the following day to disembark family and friends who were aboard for a Tiger Cruise. Nimitz and several other participating ships will sail to New York City this week to take part in the seventh International Naval Review 250 from July 3-8.

Notably, Boeing’s MQ-25A Stingray demonstrator drone was spotted on Nimitz’s flight deck, which you can read about in detail here, and the C-2A Greyhound made its last trap aboard the flattop, marking the end of an era in naval aviation as the CMV-22B Osprey takes the reins for the “no fail” carrier onboard delivery mission.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower continues working up off the east coast and was most recently underway in the Jacksonville Operating Area with her AIS transponder turned on. Eisenhower is conducting carrier qualifications and supporting East Coast Fleet Replacement Squadrons, according to DVIDS. On the west coast, USS Carl Vinson got underway for training on June 25.

Two aircraft carriers remain on station in the Middle East: USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George H.W. Bush. Both carriers were spotted conducting flight operations over the past week in the U.S. Central Command-5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR). With the blockade lifted while negotiations are ongoing – and both sides still exchanging weekend tit-for-tat blows – neither appears to be leaving the AOR, for now.

Note: Positions are general approximations. Non-deployed LHA/LHD amphibious warships are not shown.

Contact the author: ian.ellis-jones@teamrecurrent.io

Here’s TWZ’s weekly carrier tracker monitoring America’s flattop fleet, including deployed Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) and Amphibious Ready Groups (ARG), using publicly available open-source information. Check out last week’s report here.

The United States lifted its naval blockade of Iranian ports, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Friday, following the execution of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding in Versailles. While the blockade is over, the fate of the blockade forces – and future U.S. force posture in the region – remains unclear. The “plan is to keep the current force posture” during negotiations, a U.S. official said on background, but “the agreement contemplates the reduction in military forces in the region upon the agreement of a final deal.”

Major U.S. naval assets, including two aircraft carriers, continue operating “in the general area to support freedom of navigation,” according to a press release from CENTCOM. “U.S. forces remain present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and in full force and effect.” USS Abraham Lincoln, now deployed for more than seven months, was conducting flight ops in the CENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR) as of June 21, and USS George H.W. Bush was last spotted on June 20.

USS Nimitz arrived at Naval Station Mayport in Florida on June 16, marking the completion of her participation in Southern Seas 2026. “This year’s deployment marked the 11th iteration of the Southern Seas exercise since 2007, demonstrating the United States’ enduring commitment to the Western Hemisphere. Southern Seas 2026 highlighted unprecedented diplomatic and military integration, recording the highest number of Latin American leadership visits in the exercise’s history, with approximately 339 distinguished visitors embarking and 3,100 guests hosted during port visits.” Nimitz is on the final leg of a homeport shift to Naval Station Norfolk after the Navy announced a service life extension into 2027.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower departed Norfolk on June 17 for Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications (FRS-CQ) and is underway in the Virginia Capes Operating Area, according to publicly available AIS data. Eisenhower is not scheduled to deploy this year, and is preparing for a deployment in early 2027, TWZ has learned.

USS Theodore Roosevelt got underway on June 15 and is conducting exercises off the west coast in the U.S. 3rd Fleet AOR. The drills are meant to “bolster strike group readiness and capability” and the crew was spotted participating in firefighting drills, barricade drills, and crash and salvage training on the flight deck. While the upcoming deployment date is unknown, Roosevelt is the next carrier slated to deploy.

USS Carl Vinson is moored at Berth Lima at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego. Over the weekend, Vinson was the centerpiece of NASCAR’s “Race the Base” event at Naval Base Coronado. “The event marked a historic collaboration between the U.S. Navy and NASCAR while celebrating the service’s enduring connection to the American people. It provided attendees opportunities to engage directly with Sailors, explore Navy capabilities, and learn about the Navy’s role in defending the nation around the globe.”

Here’s TWZ’s weekly carrier tracker monitoring America’s flattop fleet, including deployed Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) and Amphibious Ready Groups (ARG), using publicly available open-source information. Check out last week’s map here.

The U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains in full effect and, despite the shaky ceasefire amid ongoing, but uncertain, negotiations, the Navy’s force posture remains unchanged. Enforced by two CSGs and one ARG, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces have redirected over 100 commercial vessels, disabled four using force, and allowed more than 25 carrying humanitarian aid to pass through.

The Boxer ARG, still operating under U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), doubled back from the Indian Ocean to the Malacca Strait and pulled into Singapore on May 19. The purpose of the port call is unknown, but, as of publication, Planet satellite imagery reviewed by TWZ shows Boxer moored at Sembawang Terminal for the past week. Previous reports indicated the ARG was headed to CENTCOM; however, the group does not appear to be in a hurry.

Also operating in INDOPACOM, forward-deployed USS George Washington departed Yokosuka, Japan, on May 23. While the composition of the CSG is unconfirmed, destroyer USS Shoup and cruiser USS Robert Smalls also got underway, according to public AIS data, and will likely escort the carrier during her upcoming Western Pacific patrol. A George Washington spokesperson recently told us the CSG was “underway conducting routine operations to sharpen our Sailors’ warfighting edge.” The underway coincides with a recent surge of Chinese naval activity in the region.

Here’s TWZ’s weekly carrier tracker monitoring America’s flattop fleet, including deployed Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) and Amphibious Ready Groups (ARG), using publicly available open-source information. Check out last week’s map here.

The Ford is finally home. The supercarrier, with nearly 4,500 Sailors aboard, pulled into Naval Station Norfolk on Saturday, greeted by hundreds of families and friends after completing a grueling 326-day combat deployment. The well-deserved homecoming capped the longest deployment in more than five decades, which was extended multiple times to support operations across two continents and combatant commands.

Here’s TWZ’s weekly carrier tracker monitoring America’s flattop fleet, including deployed Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs) and Amphibious Ready Groups (ARGs), using publicly available open-source information. Check out last week’s map here.

More than 20 U.S. Navy warships, two carrier strike groups among them, are enforcing the blockade of Iran in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR). To date, CENTCOM has redirected 61 commercial vessels linked to Iran and disabled at least four attempting to run the blockade.

The Navy released new images last week of both CSGs supporting the blockade. The USS George H.W. Bush was conducting flight operations in the Arabian Sea on May 6, and recently spotted with 25 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, two E-2D Hawkeyes, and three MH-60 Seahawks of Carrier Air Wing 7 visible on the flight deck. Unlike the Abraham Lincoln CSG, also operating in the AOR, George H.W. Bush is not equipped with 5th-generation carrier-based F-35Cs.

The Gerald R. Ford CSG transited the Strait of Gibraltar westbound and is steaming toward Norfolk. The strike group has been deployed for 322 days, as of May 11, and is expected to return home in the coming weeks. The CSG departed Norfolk in June 2025 and was initially supposed to return in January, but its deployment was extended twice to support combat operations in the Caribbean and the Middle East.

Three carriers are now underway training in preparation for future deployments. The Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG, which recently completed a 15-month availability, is working up off the east coast with AIS turned on. The George Washington CSG got underway on May 10, according to ship spotters, leaving port in Yokosuka, Japan, escorted by guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls. The Theodore Roosevelt CSG is “conducting advanced training to bolster strike group readiness and capability” in the Pacific Ocean.

USS Nimitz is anchored off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for a five-day liberty port call. Nimitz is circumnavigating South America en route to her new homeport in Norfolk. Originally slated to be decommissioned this year, her service life was recently extended into 2027.

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and USNS Patuxent (T-AO-201) Henry J. Kaiser-class replenishment oiler along with a Brazilian attack submarine in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – May 7, 2026 SRC: X-@dmdst12 pic.twitter.com/Qch7agZEDJ

— WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) May 7, 2026

Another Marine Air-Ground Task Force is set to arrive in CENTCOM in the near-term. While the Boxer ARG has not been confirmed in CENTCOM as of publication, an arrival announcement could come as soon as next week. The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is comprised of a command element, a Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, an Aviation Combat Element with two squadrons, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced) and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, and a logistics combat element. The approximately 5,000 Marines and Sailors aboard Boxer ARG will join the Tripoli ARG, already on station in the Middle East, and significantly enhance the United States’ expeditionary capabilities in the region.

Note: Positions are general approximations. Non-deployed LHA/LHD amphibious warships are not shown.

Contact the author: ian.ellis-jones@teamrecurrent.io

Here’s TWZ’s weekly carrier tracker monitoring America’s flattop fleet, including deployed Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs) and Amphibious Ready Groups (ARGs), using publicly available open-source information. Check out last week’s map here.

The historic deployment of the Gerald R. Ford CSG appears to be winding down, finally. The strike group – now deployed for a record-setting 314 days – transited the Suez Canal northbound on May 1 and has reportedly begun the journey back home to Norfolk, according to the Washington Post. However, CENTCOM still has two CSGs under its command, led by USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George H.W. Bush, positioned in the Arabian Sea together for the first time since the conflict kicked off. The second carrier provides additional flexibility to enforce the blockade, support the just-announced ‘Project Freedom’ mission to get commercial vessels out of the Persian Gulf, and, should combat operations resume, strike Iran with double the firepower.

“U.S. military support to Project Freedom will include guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members,” CENTCOM stated in a release on Sunday. But reporting from the Wall Street Journal claims the plan “doesn’t currently involve U.S. Navy warships escorting vessels through the strait,” and the mechanics of the mission remain unclear. Also of note, Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM’s Commander based in Florida, visited troops over the weekend.

Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, visited USS Milius (DDG 69), May 2, as the guided-missile destroyer patrolled regional waters in support of the U.S. blockade operations against Iran. While on board, he interacted with Sailors and addressed them on the 1MC while highlighting… pic.twitter.com/2qTmMmfY05

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 3, 2026

The Boxer ARG steamed northbound through the Malacca Strait on April 30, TWZ was among the first to report, and entered the Indian Ocean the following day. Boxer went dark on AIS shortly after completing the transit but, assuming a direct route to reinforce the Tripoli ARG in the Middle East, could arrive in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility sometime next week. As of publication, the ARG was still operating under U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Continuing her scenic tour circumnavigating South America, USS Nimitz moved through the Strait of Magellan and into the Atlantic Ocean on April 26. While Nimitz’s exact position is currently unknown, pictures on DVIDS show her most recently participating in a PHOTOEX off the southeast coast of Argentina.

Note: Positions are general approximations. Non-deployed LHA/LHD amphibious warships are not shown.

Contact the author: ian.ellis-jones@teamrecurrent.io

As tensions ramp up amid fragile truce, US military says it ‘redirected’ 34 vessels as part of blockade on Iran’s ports.

The United States has three aircraft carriers in the Middle East for the first time in 23 years with the arrival of the USS George HW Bush, the US military has said, amid a fragile ceasefire with Iran.

The Middle East-based Central Command (CENTCOM) of the US military said on Friday that the carriers include 12 accompanying ships, more than 200 aircraft, and 15,000 soldiers.

“For the first time in decades, three aircraft carriers are operating in the Middle East at the same time,” CENTCOM said.

The last time the US amassed that amount of military assets in the region’s waters was in the lead up to the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

The other two US aircraft carriers in the region are USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R Ford, which is the largest in the world.

The show of force signals that the US is preparing to return to fighting should the fragile ceasefire between the US, Israel and Iran unravel.

Diplomacy between the two countries has been in limbo, with Iran setting the lifting of the US naval blockade against its ports as a condition for resuming the talks.

US President Donald Trump announced extending the truce on Wednesday, but he said the naval siege would persist.

For its part, Iran has reblocked the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US blockade after declaring the waterway completely open last week when the regional ceasefire was extended to Lebanon.

Trump has not set a deadline for the extended ceasefire and suggested that he is comfortable with the status quo, which he argues is depleting the Iranian economy at a low cost for the US.

“I have all the time in the World, but Iran doesn’t,” he wrote in a social media post on Thursday.

The US president was later asked how long he would be willing to wait before receiving a proposed deal from Iran. He said: “Don’t rush me.”

Iran has described the blockade – which has seen US forces seize at least two Iranian oil ships – as an “act of war”.

Iranian forces have also captured foreign commercial ships in the Hormuz Strait, accusing them of violating maritime regulations.

With negotiations on hold, Trump has shown no signs of willingness to lift the siege in order to facilitate talks.

On Friday, the US military said it has “redirected” 34 vessels in the region. “The blockade against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports continues,” CENTCOM said.

Trump has previously threatened to destroy Iran’s civilian infrastructure, including bridges, power and water stations.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday that his country is awaiting the green light from Trump to return Iran to the “age of darkness”.

“Israel is prepared to renew the war against Iran. The [Israeli military] is ready in defence and offence, and the targets are marked,” Katz said, according to The Times of Israel newspaper.