It is reported that the United States is sending a third aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East, along with an amphibious force of 2,000 Marines. This deployment increases the risk of an escalation in the conflict, which has been ongoing for months.
On the occasion of this deployment, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his intention to resume strikes against Iran after the mid-term elections in November.
An American official told Al Jazeera thatTheodore RooseveltAircraft carrier strike group and"Magin Island"Amphibious forces have left San Diego. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the full deployment of troops is expected to be completed in November. The journal states that Trump recently told aides that he also expects to resume bombing Iran that month.
As this war, which has entered its eighth month, remains deadlocked, this further accumulation of troops has escalated the situation. Indirect negotiations have come to a standstill as Washington has rejected Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the United States lifting sanctions, keeping oil prices above pre-war levels.
On Thursday, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen accused Houthi forces supported by Iran of launching a drone attack on a power station that supplies electricity to the Prophet's Mosque in Mecca.
Coalition spokesman Torki Al-Maliki stated that the attack on the Taba power substation caused one transformer to stop operating, but the wider power grid was not affected. A military advisor from the Houthi forces told Saba News Agency that this claim is a "lie," intended to cover up the fact that Saudi Arabia has not been able to substantiate its previous accusations that the Houthi forces had targeted the Muslim holy city of Mecca.
The U.S. Treasury Department announced on Thursday sanctions against Iran's automotive and railway sectors, including the state-owned railway company as well as suppliers from the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Turkey, and Indonesia. The Treasury Department also sanctioned the A7 network, a financial channel associated with Russia, which the Treasury Department said Iran uses to circumvent sanctions.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent posted on X on Thursday that Iran loaded "Zero“Crude oil.”
According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations Office, on Thursday an oil tanker was hit by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz and caught fire, but the crew was reported to be safe.
As diplomatic efforts to end the war seem to remain at a stalemate, the United States is increasing its military presence. Reports also indicate that after indirect negotiations facilitated by Qatar failed to make any progress, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio requested that Iran's delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi leave New York earlier than originally planned. This unusual diplomatic stance highlights the lack of trust between the two countries.
