Gibraltar, United Kingdom. The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier was sighted on February 20 sailing in waters off Gibraltar near northern Africa. The sighting came as President Donald Trump ordered a buildup of U.S. forces in the Middle East and preparations for a potential multi-week air attack on Iran.
Reuters verification of vessel and footage
Reuters confirmed the identity of the vessel from ship design that matched file imagery of the USS Gerald R. Ford. Reuters confirmed the location of the videos from the shape of the mountains and road layout that matched satellite imagery of the area, and the date of the videos through metadata of the original files.
U.S. plans and public explanation
The sighting occurred as Trump ordered a large buildup of forces in the Middle East and preparations for a potential multi-week air attack on Iran. He has not laid out in detail to the American public why he might be leading the United States into its most aggressive action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution.
Iranian responses during nuclear talks
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on February 21 that Iran would not bow its head to pressure from world powers amid nuclear talks with the United States. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on February 20 he expected to have a draft counterproposal ready within days following the talks.
Foreign policy focus in Trump’s second term
Trump’s focus on Iran has emerged as a prominent example of how foreign policy, including expanded use of military force, has topped his agenda in the first 13 months of his second term, often overshadowing domestic issues such as the cost of living that opinion polls show are higher priorities for most Americans.
What do you think the sighting of the USS Gerald R. Ford signals about U.S. intentions in the region?
