The Pentagon is moving the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group from the South China Sea toward the Middle East as tensions with Iran escalate.
According to Copernicus, a satellite data company that monitors maritime traffic, the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its strike group were spotted moving west, away from the Indo-Pacific region.
According to reports, the strike group, which includes fighter jets, missile destroyers, and at least one attack submarine, is expected to reach the Middle East in about a week.
The move comes amid deadly protests in Iran and repeated U.S. warnings of military action if the violence does not stop.
U.S.-based rights group Human Rights Activists News Agency reported Thursday that Iran’s protests, now in their 19th day, have left at least 2,677 dead, 2,677 severely injured, and 19,097 detained, with 1,693 additional cases under review.
Day 19 of Iran’s protests: at least 2,677 confirmed deaths, 1,693 cases under review, 2,677 severely injured, and 19,097 detained across 187 cities. Nationwide internet shutdown continues as the UN Security Council meets.
More in HRANA’s report here:https://t.co/MKwkT9RsI3 pic.twitter.com/TRaNUrVd0K— HRANA English (@HRANA_English) January 15, 2026
Sources told Fox News that additional U.S. military assets across air, land, and sea will be moving into the region over the coming days and weeks, to provide President Donald Trump with options should he decide to carry out strikes against Iran.
Earlier reports claimed that some U.S. forces have already withdrawn from regional bases in preparation for potential strikes. Qatar confirmed that U.S. personnel have departed Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East, which hosts approximately 10,000 troops.
Meanwhile, Trump reportedly informed Iran that he will not order a strike over the country’s deadly crackdown on protesters.
During a Thursday visit to a Pakistani ministry, Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, said Trump had informed Tehran that he does not want war and urged the regime to exercise restraint and avoid targeting U.S. assets in the region.
Trump has not confirmed the report. The statement comes after Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Oman warned Trump not to launch strikes on Iran, saying such action could spark a major conflict across the Middle East.
