Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reinforcing the U.S. Navy’s presence in the Middle East, ordering two aircraft carriers to the region next month as American forces escalate strikes on Yemen-based Houthi rebels, according to a U.S. official.
This marks the second time in six months that the U.S. has maintained two carrier strike groups in the area, a departure from the usual single-carrier presence. Before that, it had been years since such a significant naval force was committed to the region.
On Thursday, Hegseth signed orders extending the deployment of the USS Harry S. Truman in the Middle East for at least another month. The carrier, currently operating in the Red Sea against the Houthis, was originally scheduled to return to Norfolk, Virginia, by the end of March.
Additionally, Hegseth has directed the USS Carl Vinson, currently deployed in the Pacific, to head toward the Middle East, extending its deployment by three months. The Vinson is expected to arrive in the region early next month.
The buildup of U.S. naval power not only expands the military’s ability to conduct patrols and airstrikes but also signals a strong deterrent message to Iran, the Houthis’ primary backer.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have carried out more than 100 attacks on commercial and military ships using missiles and drones, sinking two vessels and killing four sailors. Their leaders have framed the assaults as an effort to pressure Israel over its war against Hamas in Gaza.
In response, U.S. forces have launched a wave of strikes against Houthi positions, with an intensive bombardment beginning over the weekend and continuing into the week. President Donald Trump has given U.S. Central Command greater autonomy in conducting offensive operations against the Houthis, lowering the authorization threshold for such strikes.
