Strategic stop in the Eastern Mediterranean
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, has anchored at Souda Bay in Crete for a four-day logistical stop before redeploying toward the Middle East. Officially described as refuelling and crew rest, the visit comes as US-Iran tensions intensify over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Accompanied by the destroyer USS Mahan, the nuclear-powered carrier strengthens the US Navy presence in the Eastern Mediterranean amid growing military signalling.
Expanded US military buildup and operational strain
Launched in 2013 and commissioned in 2017, the 333-metre warship carries more than 75 aircraft and operates for 20 years without reactor refuelling. With around 4,500 sailors onboard, it left Norfolk on 24 June 2025 for a six-month mission that has now exceeded 240 days at sea. The deployment was extended near Venezuela and later in the Middle East. Reports also mention recurring plumbing failures affecting crew facilities, highlighting operational strain.
Washington has deployed more than a dozen warships in the region, including the USS Abraham Lincoln, marking one of its largest military buildups in decades. President Donald Trump warned that military action remains possible if nuclear talks with Iran fail, with discussions scheduled in Geneva. As previously reported in our coverage of Eastern Mediterranean naval movements, carrier deployments often reflect broader strategic pressure. For additional diplomatic analysis, see the latest report by BBC News.
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