USS Roosevelt Carrier Returns from Extended Middle East Deployment
The USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier is set to return to its home base at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, concluding its extended tour of duty in the Middle East. This move marks the end of an unusual Pentagon strategy of maintaining two US carriers in the waters of the Middle East, a decision taken in response to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this year.
US Warships Still in Eastern Mediterranean
Despite the departure of the Roosevelt, smaller US warships remain in the Eastern Mediterranean. This comes at a time when Israel and Iran-aligned Hezbollah continue to engage in daily fire exchanges. Meanwhile, the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier remains stationed in the Gulf of Oman.
US Navy Activity in the Region
The Lincoln arrived in the region only a few weeks ago, its deployment intended to overlap with that of the Roosevelt before the latter was withdrawn from the theater of operations. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, a nuclear-powered carrier, had also been recalled home after spending several months in the Red Sea. Despite these efforts to maintain a strong deterrent force in the region, the Houthis have not ceased their attacks on Red Sea shipping, although these attacks have slowed in recent weeks.
Pentagon Claims Deterrent Success
Pentagon leaders have asserted that the presence of a carrier and warship near Israel has successfully deterred a potential major Iranian retaliation attack following the assassination of Haniyeh on July 31st.
Details of US Naval Movements
According to recent information on US naval movements reported in the Times of Israel, US officials have stated that the San Diego-based Roosevelt and the USS Daniel Inouye, a destroyer, are expected to be in the Indo-Pacific Command’s region by Thursday. The USS Russell, another destroyer in the strike group, has already left the Middle East and is currently operating in the South China Sea.
Continued US Naval Presence
Reports indicate that the guided missile submarine USS Georgia continues to operate in the Red Sea. The US Navy has previously acknowledged that the ongoing battle against the Houthis in the Red Sea is the largest sea battle it has faced since World War II.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, there has been no official war declaration by Congress, and the American public has largely overlooked it. Cmdr. Eric Blomberg with the USS Laboon described the situation in June as "deadly serious" and highlighted the ongoing threats to the ships.
Iran's Threats and the White House's Pledge
Iran continues to threaten that it could attack Israel at any moment. In response, the White House has pledged to use its regional assets to intercept any inbound ballistic missiles or drones. This commitment has been made without any Congressional war authorization or oversight.
Bottom Line
The return of the USS Theodore Roosevelt from its extended Middle East deployment marks a significant shift in US naval operations in the region. Despite the ongoing tensions and threats, the US continues to maintain a strategic presence in the area. It raises the question: how effective has the US naval presence been in deterring potential attacks and maintaining peace in the region? What do you think about this development? Please share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, available every day at 6pm.
