Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell provided the following statement:
In line with the President's direction to achieve peace through strength, the Secretary of Defense directed the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group to remain in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR) in support of regional deterrence and force protection efforts. Following completion of a scheduled exercise in the Indo-Pacific region, the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group will arrive in CENTCOM AOR to continue promoting regional stability, deter aggression, and protect the free flow of commerce in the region. Additionally, the Nimitz Strike Group has begun its deployment to the Western Pacific to preserve our warfighting advantage in the Indo-Pacific.
To complement the CENTCOM maritime posture, the Secretary also ordered the deployment of additional squadrons and other air assets that will further reinforce our defensive air-support capabilities.
The United States and its partners remain committed to regional security in the CENTCOM AOR and are prepared to respond to any state or non-state actor seeking to broaden or escalate conflict in the region. Secretary Hegseth continues to make clear that, should Iran or its proxies threaten American personnel and interests in the region, the United States will take decisive action to defend our people.