# Gerald R. Ford

Double Carrier in the Gulf: Washington’s Show of Force to Pressure Iran — and a Risky Gamble on Readiness

The U.S. has ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the Middle East to join the USS Abraham Lincoln, a move intended to increase pressure on Iran during negotiations and to demonstrate the Ford’s operational readiness. While the double‑carrier presence expands U.S. airpower and deterrent signalling, it also raises regional tensions and the risk of miscalculation.