The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its supporting warships are patrolling in the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran, giving President Trump the option of launching airstrikes in response to Tehran’s crackdown on protesters.
Along with the Lincoln aircraft carrier and its attached air wing, the destroyers USS Frank E. Petersen Jr., the USS Spruance and the USS Michael Murphy are under operational control of the Middle East-based U.S. 5th Fleet.
On Sunday, the London-based Iran International news agency reported that security forces have killed more than 36,500 protesters since the demonstrations began in December.
Mr. Trump’s primary red lines regarding Iran include the mass execution of protesters and the killing of demonstrators. He has threatened “very strong action” if the lines are crossed.
Iranian officials have insisted they are prepared for an attack by the U.S. or Israel and said they would respond militarily.
“If there is any aggression by the U.S. or Israel, it will be met with a more painful and decisive response than in the past,” Defense Ministry spokesman Reza Talei-Nik said, according to Iran International. “If the enemy takes a hostile action, it will fail more than before and face a heavier defeat.”
The U.S. Treasury Department is increasing economic pressure on the Islamic Republic by targeting nine “shadow fleet” vessels that have transported hundreds of millions of dollars of contraband Iranian petroleum products to foreign markets.
“This revenue, which rightfully belongs to the Iranian people, is instead diverted to fund its regional terrorist proxies, weapons programs, and security services, instead of the basic economic services the Iranian people have bravely demanded,” the Treasury Department said Friday in a statement.
