US Repositions Carrier Strike Group To West Asia As Unrest Grips Iran

Last Updated:January 15, 2026, 18:54 IST

The USS Abraham Lincoln-led carrier strike group is being moved to the U.S. Central Command area as Washington weighs its response to protests and rising tensions with Iran.

The Pentagon is redeploying the USS Abraham Lincoln-led carrier strike group to the U.S. Central Command area as unrest in Iran deepens and regional security warnings mount. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

The Pentagon is moving a carrier strike group from the South China Sea to the US Central Command’s area of responsibility, which includes West Asia, as tensions escalate between the Trump administration and Iran.

The move comes amid growing unrest inside Iran and fresh questions over whether Washington will openly support protesters challenging Tehran’s leadership.

The development was first reported by US broadcaster NewsNation.

According to the report, the carrier strike group is expected to take around a week to reach the region. The USS Abraham Lincoln is the aircraft carrier being redeployed, the broadcaster said, citing a source familiar with the movement.

The transfer of major US military assets comes at a time when Iran has issued fresh warnings to Washington, saying it would target US troops and Israel if America launches strikes linked to the ongoing protests. Regional governments have also issued advisories as tensions rise.

What Is a Carrier Strike Group?

A carrier strike group is a naval formation centred on an aircraft carrier and includes multiple escort vessels such as guided-missile destroyers and cruisers. It typically operates with at least one attack submarine and carries air power capable of sustained combat operations.

The US Central Command’s area of responsibility spans more than four million square miles across Northeast Africa, West Asia, Central Asia and South Asia. It covers 21 countries, including Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, and remains one of Washington’s most strategically sensitive military theatres.

Iran Reacts, Issues NOTAMs

As the carrier movement was reported, Iran issued a “Notice to Air Missions", or NOTAM, restricting flights in and out of Tehran. Separately, some personnel at a key US military base in Qatar were advised to evacuate by Wednesday evening, according to a US official and the Gulf country.

The United Kingdom has also advised against all but essential travel to Israel, a close US ally that exchanged missile strikes with Iran last year, underscoring fears of a wider regional spillover.

Protests in Iran have intensified since late December, driven largely by worsening economic conditions. More than 2,500 people have been killed in the unrest, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency.

President Donald Trump, who recently authorised US military action in Venezuela, has repeatedly suggested that his administration could come to the aid of Iranian protesters. On Wednesday, however, Trump claimed Tehran had eased its crackdown and was seeking negotiations with Washington, even as US military preparations in the region continued.

News world US Repositions Carrier Strike Group To West Asia As Unrest Grips Iran

Read More