On June 16, 2025, the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier left the South China Sea earlier than planned, canceled its upcoming visit to Vietnam and altered its course toward the Middle East. This redeployment followed Israel’s Friday, June 13, strikes on Iran targeting its nuclear program amid escalating missile exchanges between the two nations.
Simultaneously, more than thirty U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft launched from bases across the country, flying eastward over the Atlantic to support possible missions in Europe and the Middle East. Esmaeil Baqaei, representing Iranโs Foreign Ministry, claimed that American decision-makers are involved in the aggression, while U.S. officials have denied any direct participation.
The U.S.ย military’s movements underscore heightened readiness to protect personnel amid growing regional tensions and signal shifting strategic priorities globally.
