US Moves One of Two Aircraft Carriers Away from Middle East, Reports Reuters

U.S. Aircraft Carrier Strike Group Withdraws from Middle East Amid Ongoing Tensions

One of the two U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups that had been stationed in the Middle East to deter potential Iranian threats towards Israel has left the region, according to the Pentagon.

The withdrawal of the Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group follows nearly three weeks after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin instructed it to remain in the area, despite the arrival of the Abraham Lincoln strike group which was meant to take its place.

Major General Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, confirmed that the Roosevelt is now en route to the Asia-Pacific region.

Austin’s directive for the Roosevelt to stay was issued on August 25, coinciding with a significant escalation in hostilities. At that time, Hezbollah had fired numerous rockets and drones into Israel, prompting Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon as part of efforts to prevent a more extensive attack—marking one of the most intense confrontations in ongoing border conflicts over the past ten months.

There have been increasing concerns that Iran may act on its threats to retaliate against Israel for the killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran in July.

Ryder addressed speculations regarding the U.S. diminishing focus on potential Iranian actions, asserting that the decision to withdraw was related to Navy fleet management rather than a reduced concern over security risks.

"Iran has indicated that they want to retaliate against Israel, and we take that threat very seriously," Ryder said during a briefing.

Iran has promised a severe response to the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh during his visit to Tehran, blaming Israel for the incident; however, Israel has not confirmed its involvement in the matter.

As the conflict between Hamas and Israel nears its one-year mark, the Biden administration has been working to manage the repercussions of the violence in Gaza, which has resulted in widespread destruction, sparked clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, and involved Yemen’s Houthi movement.

Ryder emphasized that the U.S. remains committed to collaborating with regional partners to de-escalate tensions and deter a broader regional conflict.