The USS George H.W. Bush, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, arrived in U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility on Thursday, marking the third U.S. carrier deployed near Iran. Officials confirmed the carrier and its escorting warships entered waters proximate to Iran, significantly enhancing U.S. combat power in the region.

The deployment comes amid the 2026 Iran war, which began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026, under Operation Epic Fury. The Bush sailed from Virginia in late March, transiting around Africa's Cape of Good Hope to reach the Indian Ocean. It joins the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea and the USS Gerald R. Ford in the Red Sea.

The Lincoln deployed in January 2026 to the Arabian Sea, supporting the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The Ford, the Navy's newest carrier, redirected from the Caribbean in February, underwent repairs in Croatia after a March fire, and resumed operations following Suez Canal transit. Its deployment has exceeded 297 days, the longest post-Cold War record.

U.S. forces now enforce a blockade of Iranian ports with over 10,000 troops, more than 100 aircraft, and 17 warships, including guided-missile destroyers. Recent actions include the USS Spruance disabling the Iranian-flagged M/V Touska by firing into its engine room on Sunday and ongoing mine-clearing in the strait. President Donald Trump has ordered forces to "shoot and kill" Iranian boats laying mines.

The buildup, the largest since 2003, responds to Iran's nuclear program revival, attacks on commercial shipping, and destabilizing actions following the 2025 protests. Trump seeks Tehran's surrender of its nuclear ambitions, reopening of the Strait, a key oil route, and an end to the weeks-long conflict. Negotiations have faltered, with a fragile ceasefire in doubt as Iran renews vessel attacks.

Each carrier's air wing delivers dozens of strike aircraft with precision munitions, supported by electronic warfare and early warning planes. The Bush carries about 6,000 sailors and an air wing, including F/A-18 Hornets. CENTCOM oversees operations from Bahrain.