US-Iran Military Tensions Escalate: Three US Carriers Deployed, Iran Threatens to Sink Fleet

Military tensions between the United States and Iran are rising ahead of the scheduled end of the ceasefire on April 22. The US is reported to have deployed three aircraft carriers to the Arabian Sea region, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, which recently returned to the Middle East after maintenance, accompanied by the destroyers USS Mahan and USS Winston S. Churchill. Two other carriers, USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George H. W. Bush, are also in the region or en route. Iran responded with a sharp threat from the military adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, Mohsen Rezaei. On Thursday, April 16, 2026, Tehran claimed its missile systems were targeting US warships, including the USS Abraham Lincoln. Rezaei stated the entire US fleet around the Strait of Hormuz was within range of Iranian missiles and could be sunk at any time, calling the current ceasefire just a brief pause in fighting. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for global energy distribution, and any escalation of conflict there could disrupt oil supply stability and impact the international economy. The situation is being closely monitored by relevant parties. https://www.harianaceh.co.id/2026/04/19/tiga-kapal-induk-as-kepung-iran-jelang-22-april-teheran-ancam-tenggelamkan-armada-di-selat-hormuz/