Souda Bay, Greece – The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, has arrived at the naval base in Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete. This move comes ahead of its deployment to the US military buildup in the Middle East, amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran.
An AFP photographer confirmed the arrival of the giant carrier at the Greek island on Tuesday.
This deployment coincides with renewed threats of military action against Iran by US President Donald Trump.
Military movements at a sensitive time
This move comes amid escalating tensions and mutual threats between the United States and Iran.
Trump has repeatedly called for a “new and comprehensive” nuclear agreement.
He has also warned that the failure of diplomacy could lead Washington to take military action.
These US military movements are causing increasing concern in the region, particularly given the ongoing disputes over Iran’s nuclear program.
Concerns are further heightened by the growing naval presence in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf.
Official Greek silence
The Greek Ministry of Defense has not issued any official statement regarding the carrier’s arrival, and the US Embassy in Athens has not yet commented on the move.
The naval support facility in Souda Bay, Crete, is a strategic hub for US forces in the Mediterranean.
It houses approximately 1,000 US military personnel, civilians, and contractors.
The facility serves as a logistics and deployment center for forces operating toward the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.
Strengthening the US naval presence
With the anticipated arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the United States is bolstering its naval presence in the region. Estimates suggest that more than 12 major U.S. warships are already deployed there,
including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Several destroyers and littoral combat ships are also present.
The Gerald R. Ford is the newest and largest aircraft carrier in the U.S. fleet.
Representing a new generation of carriers with advanced technological capabilities,
its deployment to the region sends a clear strategic message amidst the current tense regional climate.
