The United States has deployed three aircraft carriers simultaneously in the Middle East for the first time in 23 years, according to the US military. The arrival of the USS George HW Bush brings the total to three, accompanied by 12 support ships, over 200 aircraft, and 15,000 troops, as reported by CENTCOM.

This massive show of force last occurred in the lead-up to the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. The other two carriers are the USS Abraham Lincoln and the world's largest, USS Gerald R Ford. The deployment signals US readiness to resume hostilities if the fragile ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran collapses.

Diplomacy remains stalled, with Iran demanding the lifting of the US naval blockade on its ports as a precondition for talks. President Donald Trump extended the truce on Wednesday but insisted the blockade would continue. Iran has responded by reblocking the Strait of Hormuz after briefly opening it last week.

Trump has not set a deadline for the extended ceasefire, suggesting he is comfortable with the status quo, which he claims depletes Iran's economy at low cost to the US. “I have all the time in the World, but Iran doesn’t,” he wrote on social media. When asked how long he would wait for a deal, he replied, “Don’t rush me.”

Iran has described the blockade, which has seen US forces seize at least two Iranian oil tankers, as an “act of war.” Iranian forces have also captured foreign commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing them of violating maritime regulations. CENTCOM said it has “redirected” 34 vessels in the region, and the blockade continues.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel awaits a green light from Trump to return Iran to the “age of darkness.” “Israel is prepared to renew the war against Iran. The [Israeli military] is ready in defence and offence, and the targets are marked,” Katz said, as reported by The Times of Israel.

Source: www.aljazeera.com