The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. [Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy. By MC1 Johnson, MCSN Kimmelman, MCSN Cruz, MC3 Morrison, and MC2 Alanis]

The U.S. Department of War (formerly the Department of Defense) announced on the 15th (local time) that it would redeploy its aircraft carrier strike group stationed in the South China Sea to the Middle East amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.

Fox News reported that it is not yet clear whether it is the USS Abraham Lincoln, currently operating in the South China Sea, or the USS Gerald Ford, one of two carriers that departed Norfolk and San Diego earlier this week, and that the transit to the region is expected to take at least a week.

According to Copernicus, a satellite data company that monitors maritime traffic, the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group was spotted moving westward in the Indo-Pacific region. The USS Abraham Lincoln reportedly departed San Diego in November of last year and was stationed in the South China Sea.

Sources told NewsNation that the movement of the carrier strike group, which includes fighter jets, guided-missile destroyers, and at least one attack submarine, is expected to take about a week.

This move comes as attention is focused on whether President Trump will attack Iran to support large-scale protests against the authoritarian regime there.

President Trump had previously told protesters to seize control of the Iranian government, saying, "Help is on the way."

The Iranian government has even broadcast threats of assassination against Trump, stating its readiness for war against Israel and the United States if the U.S. intervenes militarily.

The Wall Street Journal reported on the 15th that the President had received advice suggesting that a large-scale attack on Iran would be less likely to topple the Iranian regime and could instead trigger a wider conflict.

According to the WSJ, staff informed President Trump that a large-scale attack, while simultaneously protecting U.S. troops in the Middle East from potential retaliation, would require more troops and equipment.

The New York Times, citing a senior official, reported that President Trump is considering attacking targets such as ballistic missile bases and Iran's domestic security agencies while awaiting Iran's next move, stating that any attack "would be at least a few days away."

Protests against deteriorating economic conditions in Iran intensified starting in late December. While the exact death toll is difficult to ascertain due to the Iranian government's nationwide internet blackout, the Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that over 2,600 people have died and more than 184,000 have been detained.

Iran has largely restricted the flow of information both domestically and internationally, and on Wednesday, it issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restricting flights to and from Tehran.

Iranian officials reportedly signaled plans to try and execute protesters on Wednesday, but President Trump stated he had heard from "opposing sources" that Iran's executions would be halted.

However, the President warned that "very powerful" action could be taken against Iran if the killings continue.

NNP=Chief Reporter Sung Ku Hong / Special Correspondent NNP info@newsandpost.com