"Pentagon Preparing to Deploy Second Aircraft Carrier to Middle East"...International Oil Prices Rise (Comprehensive)

"Preparing for Military Options Against Iran"
International Oil Prices Rebound in One Day

Reuters and Yonhap News

Foreign media have reported that the U.S. Department of Defense is preparing to deploy a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East within two weeks. This move is part of preparations for a possible military response if nuclear negotiations with Iran break down. As military tensions in the Middle East rose, international oil prices rebounded in just one day.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing U.S. government officials, reported on the 11th (local time) that "the Pentagon has issued instructions to prepare for the deployment of a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East in order to be ready for a potential attack on Iran," adding that "the Pentagon is preparing to deploy the carrier within two weeks, and a carrier currently staying off the U.S. East Coast could be sent." At present, the USS George H.W. Bush is reportedly finishing training off the coast of Virginia.

The previous day, U.S. President Donald Trump also said at a press conference, "We already have one fleet heading there, and another fleet could be deployed." The WSJ noted that "President Trump has not yet issued a formal order for the deployment of a second aircraft carrier and the plan could change," but added that "it is also possible that a deployment order could be issued within hours." Currently, the U.S. military has deployed the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, more than 10 warships, and various fighter jets to the Middle East, committing a total force of about 50,000 personnel.

President Trump stated that he would first watch how the negotiations with Iran unfold. After discussing the Iran nuclear talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House that day, he said on the social media platform Truth Social, "I conveyed that I would prefer an agreement if it is possible. If an agreement is not possible, we will have to see what the consequences will be."

The United States and Iran resumed nuclear negotiations on the 6th after a hiatus of about eight months. However, they failed to narrow their differences on key issues such as uranium enrichment and limits on ballistic missile ranges. The two countries are preparing for a second round of talks.

Meanwhile, international oil prices rebounded in a single day as military tensions escalated. On the day, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 1.05% from the previous session to 64.63 dollars per barrel, while North Sea Brent crude closed at 69.40 dollars, up 0.87% from the previous day.