The world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, has arrived at the US naval base of Souda Bay on Crete. The vessel is en route to join a major military buildup in the Middle East amidst heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The carrier, accompanied by the destroyer USS Mahan, is expected to remain at the base for four days for refuelling.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against Iran if it does not alter its nuclear program or cease its crackdown on protesters. The Trump administration has established the largest US military presence in the Middle East in decades, pushing for concessions from Iran.
The USS Gerald R. Ford can carry over 75 military aircraft. Washington currently maintains more than a dozen warships in the Middle East, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, nine destroyers, and three littoral combat ships.
This deployment marks a significant show of force as diplomatic talks and potential military actions remain on the table.