Iran Claims Supertanker Hit in Strait of Hormuz
Iran state media reported that a supertanker is burning off the coast of Oman after coming under attack, according to Gulf Insider. Local sources told the outlet that the vessel, which has a capacity of 2.5 million barrels, was traveling through the Strait of Hormuz illegally when it was hit approximately 8 kilometers from shore.
The report comes as tensions in the region remain high following recent military movements by the United States. Iran has fired ballistic missiles at American warships in recent weeks, contributing to the escalating confrontation.
Pentagon Deploys Additional Forces
The Pentagon is sending a third aircraft-carrier strike group and additional Marine Corps ships to the Middle East, adding between 9,000 and 10,000 troops to the region, The Wall Street Journal reported. These forces are scheduled to arrive by the end of November.
President Trump posted on Truth Social that the USS Theodore Roosevelt left San Diego earlier in the week and is en route to US Central Command’s area of operations to relieve the Japan-based USS George Washington, which entered regional waters in mid-August. An American official told Israeli media that the Trump administration is deploying a third aircraft carrier along with additional Marines.
A US official told Al Jazeera that by the end of November, three aircraft carriers and two landing groups will be deployed around Iran. The deployment follows Trump’s rejection of Iran’s latest proposal for a seven-day ceasefire and adds to the more than 50,000 troops already in the region.
Carrier Composition and Operational Timeline
Navy officials warned families that the deployment could exceed seven months, with eight months used as the planning baseline. USNI News reported on September 28 that a U.S. defense official confirmed the carrier’s departure from San Diego the previous day.
Carrier Strike Group 9 includes the Theodore Roosevelt, Carrier Air Wing 11, Destroyer Squadron 23, Information Warfare Squadron 9, and the USS Chosin (CG-65). The strike component includes F-35C Lightning II fighters from VFA-86, F/A-18E Super Hornets from VFA-211 and VFA-25, F/A-18F aircraft from VFA-154, and EA-18G Growlers from VAQ-137.
Expired Iranian Deadline and Strategic Strain
The Wall Street Journal notes that the additional moves will further strain the U.S. Navy, which has experienced supply shortages and faced near-record deployments during the conflict.
Gulf Insider reports that Iran’s Supreme National Security Council set October 1 as a deadline on August 16, warning that if Washington failed to lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports within 45 days, Tehran could resume attacks against US forces and step up attacks on foreign shipping. The source states that Iran’s 45-day deadline has now expired.
The WSJ states these forces will arrive by the end of November as President Trump considers renewing strikes on Iran after the midterm elections.