US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that the USS George HW Bush aircraft carrier arrived in its area of responsibility. The US now has three aircraft carrier strike groups in the Middle East.

“Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) sails in the Indian Ocean in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility,” CENTCOM posted on X Thursday with a photo dated April 23.

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) sails in the Indian Ocean in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 23. pic.twitter.com/oDcTM6YMLF

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 23, 2026

The Bush will join the USS Ford and USS Lincoln aircraft carrier strike groups, which are already positioned in the Middle East. The aircraft carrier strike group is considered the backbone of the US military’s power projection. The battlegroups include attack submarines, support ships, and guided-missile destroyers capable of firing offensive and defensive missiles. Each aircraft carrier strike group includes about 6,000 sailors.

Before Trump ordered attacks on Venezuela and Iran, both in June and February, the US moved aircraft carriers into the region before beginning offensive operations.

The arrival of Bush comes as the ceasefire between Iran and the US is uncertain. On Tuesday, Trump announced a short-term extension to the two-week truce, claiming that the Iranian government was too fragmented to negotiate.

Tehran has listed that Washington and Tel Aviv agree to Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz, the end of Israel’s aggression against Lebanon, a pledge not to attack again, and war reparations to end the conflict.