UPDATE: President Donald Trump has ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to redirect from the South China Sea to the Persian Gulf, intensifying military pressure on Iran amid escalating protests and threats of executions. This urgent maneuver, expected to take five to eight days, comes as anti-government demonstrations have surged since December 28, 2022, marking the most significant challenge to the Iranian regime in years.
The USS Abraham Lincoln, along with advanced Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, has received explicit orders to reposition in response to the unrest, which has reportedly resulted in at least 3,428 deaths according to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights Organisation. Over 10,600 demonstrators have been detained as the regime imposes a near-total internet blackout to stifle the uprising.
Trump’s decision comes after claims from Iranian officials that the planned executions of detained protesters have been postponed indefinitely. However, the U.S. administration remains on high alert, refusing to abandon military contingency plans. Trump has emphasized that any military action must be executed swiftly and decisively to avoid the prolonged conflicts that have plagued previous interventions in the region.
In a meeting with senior officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Trump underscored his strategic objective: to achieve maximum impact while minimizing extended engagements. A senior defense official stated, “If he does something, he wants it to be definitive.” This approach reflects Trump’s stern warnings to Iran that he will “hit hard” if the regime continues executing demonstrators.
The crisis follows Trump’s previous military intervention, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, in June 2025, which involved a massive strike against Iranian nuclear facilities. That operation saw the deployment of seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and over 125 aircraft, marking a significant military operation. Remarkably, Iran did not respond, with its air defenses remaining inactive.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently warned Trump not to repeat the “errors” of the past that led to devastating results. The protests, ignited by currency devaluation and rising living costs, have been met with deadly force by authorities, raising international alarm.
Despite the reported halt in executions, concerns remain. Erfan Soltani, a clothing shop owner arrested during protests, narrowly avoided execution this week, a reprieve confirmed by both his family and the human rights organization Hengaw. However, Iranian Chief Justice Ghol-Hosseini has previously advocated for swift executions, and the regime has a history of mass killings following uprisings.
When Trump announced that he had been informed the “killing has stopped,” he added a note of caution, stating, “I hope it’s true. Who knows?” This uncertainty looms large as the USS Abraham Lincoln and its destroyer flotilla, equipped with advanced missile defense systems, sail toward the region.
As tensions mount, the positioning of this strike group raises critical questions: Will it serve as leverage for diplomatic negotiations, or is it preparing for potential military action?
The coming days will be crucial as the world watches the developments in Iran and the U.S.’s military readiness in the Persian Gulf. Stay tuned for more updates as this story evolves.
