WASHINGTON — The Navy's USS Abraham Lincoln has arrived in the Middle East.
U.S. Central Command made the announcement on social media.
Two weeks ago, the aircraft carrier was ordered by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to proceed to the region "with all due haste," amid concerns about a possible Iranian attack against Israel.
With Lincoln's arrival, the United States now has two carriers on-site, with Lincoln joining USS Theodore Roosevelt.
"We have two carrier strike groups there, each with four destroyers. That sends a very powerful message of deterrence, and it also sends a message that we will stand with Israel should we need to come to their defense," said Sabrina Singh, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary.
The Pentagon says the guided missile submarine USS Georgia is "in-transit" from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
These moves come as the U.S. and other allies push for Israel and Hamas to achieve a cease-fire agreement.