Mr. Trump, who last month threatened to strike Iran if Iran killed protesters, confirmed that a second aircraft carrier is “going out shortly” to West Asia. “For 47 years, they’ve been talking and talking and talking,” Mr. Trump said. On Friday (February 13, 2026), officials told U.S. media that the second carrier going to the region would be USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier. The last time West Asian waters had two aircraft carriers was in June 2025 when the U.S. joined Israel to bomb Iran during the 12-day war. Mr. Trump wants a deal on his terms and has threatened to use force if he doesn’t get it.

Source: The Hindu February 14, 2026 19:33 UTC