The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group has arrived in the Middle East alongside THAAD and Patriot defense systems, completing a strategic military buildup that gives the White House full operational capability to respond to Iranian nuclear provocations and domestic violence
BREAKING: 🇺🇸🇮🇷 The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, escorted by guided-missile destroyers, has entered the Middle East, positioning U.S. naval forces within operational range of Iran. pic.twitter.com/x7GbzZhVBA
— War Radar (@War_Radar2) January 25, 2026
The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group reached the Middle East this weekend, completing a strategic redeployment ordered by President Donald Trump. According to Channel 13 reports, the naval force is now positioned within striking range of Iran’s coast, while the Jerusalem Post confirmed that U.S. defensive systems including THAAD and Patriot batteries are fully operational across the region. The carrier group includes Arleigh Burke-class destroyers with Tomahawk cruise missiles and F-35C stealth fighters, supplemented by F-15E Strike Eagles in Jordan and B-52 bombers in Qatar.
The deployment follows intelligence suggesting Iran continued executions despite promises to halt them, with thousands of protesters reportedly killed during an internet blackout. President Trump stated the “big force” was moved “just in case” diplomacy fails, emphasizing readiness to strike “harder than you’ve ever been hit” if the regime continues its crackdown. With Iran’s Supreme Leader reportedly in an underground bunker and IRGC forces on high alert, security officials say the defensive architecture now provides tactical freedom for potential U.S. military action.