US Navy Deploys 15 Warships to Middle East for Iran Port Blockade

A US official stated that the US Navy has deployed at least 15 warships, including one aircraft carrier and 11 destroyers, to the Middle East. This action follows President Trump's instructions to initiate a blockade of Iranian ports. The specific locations of all warships or which ones are directly involved in the blockade are not yet clear. These warships are distributed within the US Central Command's area of responsibility. Confirmed vessels include the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln; destroyers USS Bainbridge, USS Thomas Hudner, USS Frank E. Petersen Jr., USS Delbert B. Black, USS John Finn, USS Michael Murphy, USS Mitscher, USS Pinckney, USS Rafael Peralta, USS Spruance, and USS Milius; and the USS Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group, comprising the USS Tripoli, USS New Orleans, and USS Rushmore. Additionally, the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, which has been involved in operations against Iran, is currently in the Eastern Mediterranean after recent maintenance in Greece. To support the blockade, the USS Gerald R. Ford would need to pass through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea or sail around Africa to reach the relevant waters.