US Warship Reportedly Deploying to Mideast Amid Iran-Israel Conflict

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz is reportedly en route to the Middle East after abruptly cancelling a scheduled port visit to Vietnam, amid intensifying conflict between Iran and Israel. The vessel was seen passing through the Malacca Strait toward the Indian Ocean at 13:45 GMT, according to ship-tracking platform Marine Traffic. A Vietnamese official confirmed to AFP that a planned reception aboard the carrier in Danang on June 20 had been scrapped. A letter from the US Embassy cited "an emergent operational requirement" as the reason for the cancellation. Both the embassy and a spokesperson for the Nimitz declined to comment further.

The redeployment of one of the world’s largest warships comes as the Iran-Israel conflict enters its fourth day, with mounting casualties and no sign of easing. Iranian officials claim Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 224 people, including senior military figures, scientists, and civilians. In response, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel and warned of more “effective, targeted and devastating” attacks ahead. Meanwhile, the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, confirmed that one missile lightly damaged a building used by the American embassy in Tel Aviv.