The Ford is currently in the US European Command area of responsibility, according to the official. There are 20 remaining US Navy ships in the Middle East, including the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carriers, the official said.
The same day, US President Donald Trump, in a letter to congressional leaders, said that hostilities with Iran have “terminated”, after a legal 60-day deadline for the military operation expired on Friday, an effort to quelch the fight over the need for Congress to approve the conflict, according to Political.
Trump, however, made clear that the conflict in the Middle East is still be far from over, adding that the threat posed by Tehran to the US and its armed forces remains “significant”.
Also on Friday, the Trump administration said it will withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany, which include a combat brigade and supporting units. The process will take between six months to a year.
US officials said the decision stemmed partly due to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's criticisms of President Trump's approach to the conflict in Iran. A senior Pentagon official said European allies have not done enough in this conflict. “An alliance has to be mutually beneficial. It cannot be a one-way street," the official added.
