The naval deployment began earlier this month from the Asia-Pacific region as diplomatic strains rose following Iran’s crackdown on nationwide protests. US President Donald Trump has warned of possible intervention if the situation in Iran is spiraling out of control. Recently protests in Iran have eased.

The Pentagon is also moving fighter jets and air-defense systems to the region. Over the weekend, the US military announced an exercise designed to demonstrate its ability to deploy, disperse, and sustain combat airpower.

A senior Iranian official warned last week that any attack on Iran would be treated as “all-out war”. The United Arab Emirates said it would not permit its airspace, territory, or waters to be used for any offensive actions against Iran. The US Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE is a key center for Washington's air and reconnaissance operations in the region.