US to bring back USS Gerald Ford from Mediterranean
ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency
Mon / 1 January 2024 / 11:48
The United States has taken the decision to bring back aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford from the Eastern Mediterranean after it was sent there in light of 7th October Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, two US officials told ABC News on Sunday.
Tehran (ISNA) - USS Ford is the latest US Navy and largest aircraft carrier and right before the end of its first operational deployment it was sent to the Eastern Mediterranean in a possible bid to stoke tensions in the region that was already in a fragile state due to the Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip and the broad US support it was receiving in light of the onslaught.
The United States claimed that the deployment was for deterrence purposes, namely against the Lebanese Hezbollah Resistance movement and other regional Resistance and liberation movements and factions.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin claimed at the time the aircraft carrier was sent that its deployment came "As part of our effort to deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts toward widening this war following Hamas' attack on Israel."
The deployment was extended for a third time in December, with Austin claiming that deterrence was still needed amid heightened regional tensions.
USS Gerald Ford and several other ships that comprise its strike group would be returning to Norfolk, Virginia, the carrier's home port, as originally scheduled so that it could prepare for future re-deployments.
"We have nothing to announce today," a Pentagon spokesperson said when asked for a comment by ABC News, after the officials said the departure of the aircraft carrier would take place in the "coming days".
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