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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor

Trump sends second aircraft carrier to Middle East in effort to increase pressure on Iran

The USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier
The USS Gerald R Ford (pictured), the world’s largest aircraft carrier, will join the USS Abraham Lincoln, greatly expanding US firepower in the region. Photograph: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni/AP

Donald Trump has ordered the world’s largest aircraft carrier to sail from the Caribbean Sea to the Middle East in an effort to increase pressure on Iran amid discussions over curbing its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

The USS Gerald R Ford and its supporting warships should take about three weeks to return to the region, where they will join the USS Abraham Lincoln, dramatically increasing the military firepower available to the US leader.

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