The American nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) entered the Red Sea on March 22, 2025, becoming the second ship of its class to be deployed to the region amid the escalating conflict with Yemen’s Houthis and rising tensions around Iran. Its arrival complements the presence of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), which has been operating in the strategically important area for several months. According to military analysts, Washington intends not only to intensify the campaign against the Houthis, but also to pave the way for a possible large-scale strike against Iran, which is considered the main sponsor of the rebels. The move was a clear signal of the United States’ determination to strengthen its position in the Middle East amid a new round of escalation.

The deployment of the second aircraft carrier was ordered by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday, March 20. Carl Vinson, which had previously been in the East China Sea, where it participated in joint exercises with Japan and South Korea, was quickly redirected to the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of ​​responsibility. Experts note that the presence of two carrier strike groups in the Red Sea is a rare occurrence, previously seen only in the fall of 2024, when the Joe Biden administration was stepping up support for Israel against Iranian proxies. The current decision is perceived as an intention by the Donald Trump administration to demonstrate strength and prevent further attacks by the Houthis on military and commercial vessels.

Experts emphasize that the increased American presence is linked to the recent actions of the Houthis, who have resumed attacks after the January truce between Israel and Hamas. In the past week alone, the group has made several unsuccessful attempts to strike the USS Harry S. Truman and its escorts, which has provoked a series of American bombings of targets in Yemen. But analysts point to a larger context: possible preparations for an operation against Iran, whose arms and technology supplies give the Houthis the ability to threaten the region. The deployment of two aircraft carriers equipped with dozens of fighter jets and hundreds of cruise missiles gives the Pentagon the flexibility to launch preemptive strikes against Iranian military facilities if the situation gets out of control.

To complete the picture, the decision to deploy Carl Vinson coincided with Trump’s statements on Truth Social, where he vowed to “completely destroy” the Houthis and called on Iran to stop supporting them. As USNI News reported on March 21, the USS Harry S. Truman, whose tour of duty in the region was about to expire, was ordered to stay for another month, which will keep the two carriers off the Red Sea until mid-April. Carl Vinson, meanwhile, completed its passage from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean in two weeks, underscoring the urgency of the mission. According to The Times of Israel on March 22, the presence of the two ships not only enhances patrol and strike capabilities, but also serves as a deterrent to Tehran, which has been ramping up its proxy activity in recent months.