The United States reversed Sunday evening a decision to bring home the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, citing Iranian threats.
The roughly 100,000 ton warship will remain in the Persian Gulf, where it has been patrolling since late November, CBS News reported.
“Due to the recent threats issued by Iranian leaders against President Trump and other U.S. government officials, I have ordered the USS Nimitz to halt its routine redeployment,” Acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller announced Sunday. “The USS Nimitz will now remain on station in the U.S. Central Command area of operations. No one should doubt the resolve of the United States of America.” (RELATED: Thousands Of Iraqis Attend Baghdad Rally On One-Year Anniversary Of Soleimani’s Death)
Pentagon: Carrier USS Nimitz Will Stay in Middle East After Threats from Iran – USNI Newshttps://t.co/uwjiV623uD pic.twitter.com/B8pe80IauX
— U.S. Naval Institute (@NavalInstitute) January 4, 2021
Miller, despite objections from top military advisers, had ordered the redeployment of the Nimitz away from the region, according to the Jerusalem Post.
U.S. intelligence has reported that Iran desires to target senior American military leaders and civilian officials to avenge Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who was killed by a U.S. drone on Jan. 3, 2020, the New York Times reported. The strike was ordered after the Pentagon received intel that Soleimani was plotting imminent attacks that could have killed hundreds of Americans.
Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, Iranian aerospace chief, warned Saturday that Iran would hit U.S. bases and their host countries in the region if America attacks Iran.
“The U.S. and the Zionist regime have not created security anywhere, and if something happens here and a war breaks out, we will make no distinction between the U.S. base and its host country. Naturally, the very same Arab countries of the region will bear the brunt,” Hajizadeh had said.
Iran’s President had also issued a death threat against President Donald Trump last week.