The Pentagon said late Sunday that US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz would remain in the Middle East waters due to “threats from Iran,” reversing a previous decision to order the warship back home.
“Due to the recent threats issued by Iranian leaders against President (Donald) Trump and other US government officials, I have ordered the USS Nimitz to halt its routine redeployment. The USS Nimitz will now remain on station in the US Central Command area of operations. No one should doubt the resolve of the United States of America,” Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller said in a statement.
The statement was contrary to a decision made by Miller just three days ago, in which he ordered the aircraft carrier to transit directly home to complete a nearly 10-month deployment.
The latest move also came as the first anniversary of the US assassination of Iranian top military commander Qassem Soleimani. The US drone strike on Jan. 3, 2020 in Iraq’s capital Baghdad almost triggered an escalated regional conflict between Iran and the United States.
The year-long tensions were reignited recently as Washington and Tehran were escalating a war of words over a rocket attack targeting the US Embassy compound in Baghdad on Dec. 20.
President Trump blamed the attack on Iran, and the latter denied the allegation. The US military on Wednesday sent two B-52H strategic bombers to the region as a show of force.
“Instead of fighting Covid in US, @realDonaldTrump & cohorts waste billions to fly B52s & send armadas to OUR region,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted in response. “Iran doesn’t seek war but will OPENLY & DIRECTLY defend its people, security & vital interests.”
