U.S. Carrier Group Enters Middle East as Iran Warns of “Finger on Trigger”

The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group has crossed into Central command, the Middle East region that includes Iran, a U.S. official told CBS News.

The movement comes as Iran renewed warnings Monday — days after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard commander warned his force had its “finger on the trigger,” while U.S. warships moved toward the region.

The strike group is comprised of the Lincoln, an aircraft carrier, adn three guided missile destroyers: the USS Frank E.Petersen, Jr., the USS Spruance and the USS Michael Murphy. On board the Lincoln are squadrons of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets,EA-18G Growlers,F-35C fighter jets and MH-60R/S helicopters.

the naval force was not necessarily “on station” as of Monday morning Eastern Time, meaning it was not in its intended ultimate position.

President Trump said on Thursday that the U.S. had a “massive fleet” heading toward Iran “just in case” he wants to take action, although he added, “maybe we won’t have to use it.”