The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier [AP=Yonhap News]

The United States has dispatched a carrier strike group, the world's largest and most advanced, to the Middle East to further pressure Iran.

According to The New York Times on the 12th (local time), the U.S. military plans to deploy the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford strike group, which was previously stationed in the Caribbean, to the Middle East.

The Ford is not expected to return to its homeport until late April or early May, and its crew was reportedly informed of this decision on the same day.

The NYT reported that the U.S. military intends to deploy dozens of fighter jets and surveillance aircraft to the Middle East through the deployment of the Ford, enabling commanders to conduct air strikes more frequently.

Upon the Ford's arrival, the United States will have two carrier strike groups deployed in the Middle East, including the Abraham Lincoln, which is already stationed in the Persian Gulf.

The Ford departed from Norfolk, Virginia, in June of last year, conducted operations in areas such as the Mediterranean Sea, and then moved to the Caribbean in October for military operations in Venezuela.

The reinforcement of carrier strike groups in the Middle East is seen as military pressure targeting Iran, which is engaged in negotiations with the United States.

Earlier, President Trump stated on the 10th that the U.S. was considering dispatching a second carrier strike group to the Middle East in case negotiations with Iran fail.

The Trump administration is attempting to negotiate with Iran over its nuclear program, missile systems, and support for regional proxies, while also exerting pressure by not ruling out the use of military force in case of a breakdown in talks.

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group [AFP=Yonhap News]

The United States is currently maintaining a "two-track" approach of strengthening military pressure and engaging in dialogue with Iran.

Iran has consistently stated its intention not to negotiate on issues other than its nuclear program in response to U.S. pressure for a comprehensive agreement.

The international community is concerned that if the U.S. continues to press on missile and proxy issues, which Iran rejects, the negotiations could collapse and lead to another war.

President Trump has repeatedly stated his position that he could consider military options against Iran, citing the Iranian government's violent suppression of anti-government protests.

The deployment of the second carrier strike group to the Middle East is seen as a troop movement that clearly reflects the significant geopolitical situation surrounding the region.

The Wall Street Journal interpreted this as meaning that the attention of the U.S. Trump administration, which had been focused on the Western Hemisphere, including Venezuela, has now returned to the Middle East.

When the Trump administration sent the Ford to the Caribbean in the fall of last year, it was also diagnosed as an extraordinary situation.

This was because it was the first time in decades that no U.S. aircraft carrier was present in the operational areas of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) or U.S. European Command (EUCOM), which command operations in the Middle East.

U.S. aircraft carriers are considered floating air bases and are seen as symbols of modern military power.

The Ford officially entered service in 2017. It is the world's largest aircraft carrier, with a length of approximately 351 meters and a beam of approximately 41 meters (80 meters at the flight deck), capable of carrying more than 75 aircraft.

With construction costs of approximately $13.3 billion (about 19 trillion won), the Ford is equipped with cutting-edge technologies such as a new nuclear power plant, an integrated warfare system, and dual-band radar, earning it the nickname "super nuclear aircraft carrier."