US Military Buildup in Persian Gulf Raises Threat of Iran Strike
The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group with 5,000+ troops is heading to the Middle East amid reports that US military action against Iran could come within 24 hours. The buildup follows mass protests in Iran where UN officials report at least 5,000 protesters killed by security forces. Iran has warned it will strike US bases in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Turkey if attacked. Trump says Iran "wants to talk" while deploying what he calls a "massive fleet." Trump announced the deployment on January 23, 2026, after saying earlier in the month that he was considering intervening to "rescue" Iranian protesters. The buildup ran from late December 2025 through late February 2026 without a congressional authorization debate; Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), ranking member on the Appropriations subcommittee overseeing foreign operations, pressed the administration on February 23 to explain whether its objective was destroying Iran's nuclear program, protecting protesters, or regime change. Hostilities began on February 28, 2026 with the start of Operation Epic Fury, after which Sens. Tim Kaine, Chuck Schumer and Adam Schiff forced a war powers vote.
“Congress and the American people need answers about what our objectives are in Iran.”