According to the Wall Street Journal, three U.S. officials revealed that the Department of Defense has instructed a second aircraft carrier strike group to prepare for deployment to the Middle East. According to Odaily Planet Daily, an official stated that a deployment order could be issued within hours. On Tuesday, Trump said he is considering sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East in response to a potential military action if negotiations with Iran fail. Officials cautioned that Trump has not formally issued an order to deploy the second aircraft carrier, and plans may change. If the second aircraft carrier is deployed to the Middle East, it will be the first time in nearly a year that two aircraft carriers are present in the region.