Fort Bragg, North Carolina – The United States is increasing its military presence in the Persian Gulf as negotiations with Iran over its nuclear and ballistic capabilities remain fraught with difficulty. President Donald Trump announced on Friday, February 13, 2026, that a second aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, will be deployed to the region “particularly soon,” following the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln and its escort ships in January.
The move comes as Washington and Tehran attempt to revive talks in Oman, which began a week prior, but whose continuation remains uncertain. Trump warned that failure to reach an agreement would be “very traumatic” for Iran, and alluded to a more forceful approach, referring to a “phase two” that would be “very hard” on the country. He also recalled the U.S. Bombing of Iranian nuclear sites during the “twelve-day war” initiated by Israel in June 2025.
During a speech to military personnel and their families at Fort Bragg, Trump went further, suggesting that a change in leadership in Iran would be “the best thing that could happen.” He added, “Since forty-seven years, they talk and talk and talk. And during that time we have lost many lives.”
The President’s comments follow threats of military intervention made in early January in response to the suppression of protests in Iran, which non-governmental organizations say resulted in thousands of deaths. He had previously described discussions on February 6 as “very fine,” but maintained the pressure on Tehran to reach a deal. The deployment of a second carrier group underscores growing regional tensions and the potential for escalation.
Trump also briefly lamented his inability to play golf in recent weeks, stating he hadn’t hit a ball in “3 weeks, 4 weeks” due to the ongoing situation. This comment came during a White House briefing on the installation of new flagpoles.
