By Tony Capaccio
October 3, 2026 (Bloomberg) – A US official has reported that the Pentagon is sending an additional aircraft carrier and 10,000 sailors and Marines to the Persian Gulf. This move will provide American commanders with more options if President Donald Trump decides to increase military actions against Iran.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt left its home port in San Diego on Sunday and is now headed for the Middle East, according to the official.
Once the Roosevelt arrives, the US could again have three carrier strike groups in the region, the same as in late April, although it has not yet been decided if this level will be maintained.
The USS George Washington is currently in the area, but the USS George H.W. Bush has temporarily left. This would mark the first time since 2003 that the US has had three carrier strike groups in the Middle East, which was during the early stages of the invasion of Iraq.
US Central Command, responsible for military operations in the Middle East, stated, “We don’t discuss unit schedules for operational security reasons.”
These deployments come after Trump mentioned that increased military strikes against Iran are “possible” following the November midterm elections.
On Monday, the USS Makin Island amphibious readiness group, which includes an assault ship, aircraft, and 2,200 Marines, also set sail for the Middle East, providing Centcom with more options. The USS Boxer amphibious readiness group is currently conducting operations near the Strait of Hormuz.
In recent weeks, the US has also sent two additional missile batteries to protect oil and gas facilities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Axios reported that this deployment was intended to reassure US allies that Washington would safeguard key energy installations if new attacks were ordered by Trump.
Ronald O’Rourke, a seasoned naval analyst, noted that maintaining three carriers in the region could add to the Navy’s current readiness challenges. The strain has been highlighted by the lengthy deployments of the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS Gerald Ford, both of which have recently completed extended tours.
O’Rourke explained, “Keeping even a two-carrier presence in that area for a long time would be a strain for the carrier force. However, maintaining a three-carrier presence for an extended period would be a much greater challenge.”
The potential for renewed conflict in the Middle East poses a challenge for investors, as they weigh the inflationary risks of rising oil prices against signals that the US Federal Reserve may adopt a more cautious approach to tightening. Oil prices rose due to concerns over military action, with Brent crude increasing by 0.4% to $102.74 a barrel after a 4% rise on Thursday.
Despite some quiet times with no major military strikes from either the US or Iran as diplomatic discussions continue, talks to resolve the ongoing war, which has lasted for eight months, remain stalled over issues such as Tehran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has recently indicated in private discussions that Tehran might allow nuclear inspectors back into bombed facilities in exchange for the easing of sanctions.