New footage shows the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier operating in the Persian Gulf near Iran—referred to as the Arabian Gulf by the U.S. and Gulf nations—following its recent operations in the Arabian Sea near Oman.
The USS Nimitz‘ presence in the Arabian Gulf demonstrates the U.S. Navy’s “commitment to regional maritime security and stability,” the American Embassy in Saudi Arabia posted on its X account.
Why It Matters
The statement followed Israeli strikes targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar on Tuesday, which took the U.S. by surprise, as one of its key regional partners was hit.
The nuclear-powered Nimitz was rerouted to the Middle East in June and has been operating around the Gulf of Oman since the conflict with Iran, boosting ongoing U.S. naval presence and readiness in the region and readiness in the region amid recurring tensions.
With uncertainty looming over the future of Iran’s nuclear program, President Donald Trump has threatened to attack again if it does not come to an agreement, asserting the U.S. will not allow Iran to have nuclear weapons, which Tehran has denied seeking.
In May, Trump suggested renaming the body of water as the Arabian Gulf, a designation debated by Iran and Gulf states, though historically the body of water has been known as the Persian Gulf.
What To Know
In August, the Nimitz and its strike group, including Carrier Air Wing 17 and two destroyers, were in Bahrain, according to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
1️⃣ An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during flight operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
2️⃣ U.S. Navy… pic.twitter.com/GKhCOxWCEr— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) September 10, 2025
When rerouted from the South China Sea to the Middle East, the Nimitz became the fifth U.S. carrier operating in the region since late 2023, according to the U.S. Naval Institute News website in June. The deployment of multiple carriers came after Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, while the region had not seen a carrier since the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, it added.
The previously deployed Carl Vinson and Harry S. Truman carrier strike groups have supported military action against the Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthi group, which Trump ordered in March, with a ceasefire agreement reached in May. The group claimed several attacks on the carriers.
What People Are Saying
U.S. Embassy in Riyadh on X, Wednesday: “Strengthening our defense cooperation protects the security of the United States and enables our partners to enhance security in their regions. Moreover, the presence of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the Arabian Gulf embodies the U.S. Navy’s commitment to regional maritime security.”
What Happens Next
The USS Nimitz is scheduled to be decommissioned in 2026.
Read the full article here
