Baghdad:The US Department of Defense is set to deploy a new combat group to the Middle East, following comments by US President Donald Trump about the potential resumption of strikes against Iran after the November 2026 midterm elections.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt left the Port of San Diego on September 27 as part of a scheduled mission, with the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group departing the following day alongside the US Marine Corps’ 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. These formations are anticipated to arrive in the region by the end of November.

Currently, the Middle East has the presence of US aircraft carriers George H.W. Bush and George Washington. If George Washington remains in the area when Theodore Roosevelt arrives, it will mark the first time since April 2026 that the US has stationed three aircraft carriers in the Middle East simultaneously.

This new deployment is expected to add between 9,000 and 10,000 US Marines to more than 50,000 American troops already positioned in the Middle East since the conflict between the United States and Iran began in February 2026.