American aircraft carrier on its way to the Middle East; Iran: "One must not compromise with the enemy"

The American aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and its 5,000 crew members are expected to depart in the coming weeks for a deployment in the Middle East that will last at least seven months, but they are preparing for a longer deployment, senior US Navy officials told CNN overnight.

The expected deployment comes against the backdrop of the US Navy dealing with the consequences of the prolonged deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the region. The carrier spent more than 250 days at sea without a port visit, a period that raised concerns regarding the mental state of the sailors. There were also reports of at least one sailor who fell into the water and a shortage of supplies on board the warship, which weighs about 100,000 tons.

The Lincoln was replaced last week by the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, and it will anchor in Thailand in the coming days. According to reports, the Roosevelt is expected to replace the Washington. At the same time, the aircraft carrier USS George Bush is also operating in the Middle East region.

Admiral Daryl Caudle admitted that the war with Iran is straining the US Navy, and said that the Navy will try to provide more certainty regarding the duration of deployments. However, according to him, combat needs may make this difficult:

"I would prefer seven-month deployments. I generally don't like extensions, and I strongly oppose them. But the enemy has a vote in the decision," said Caudle.

Parallel to the military developments, US President Donald Trump claimed that the financial power of the United States will lead the country "toward a very big victory," and added that he does not believe that Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is dead.

Global oil prices fell on Wednesday for the third consecutive day, after Iran and Oman announced an effort that has not yet been completed to establish a temporary shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. The establishment of the route will include an attempt to "clear mines" from parts of the waterway. A spokesman for the Iranian Revolutionary Guards said that "agreements were reached regarding each side's share in the waters of the strait" and the revenues from it, but claimed that the United States is delaying the agreement process.

At the same time, one of the Iranian military commanders claimed that Tehran is expanding its defense capabilities, after much equipment was damaged during the war. According to him, Iran is "producing new systems and equipment, all of which rely entirely on Iranian knowledge and expertise."

In Iran, too, harsh statements were heard this morning. General Masjedi, deputy commander of the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards, said that the defense of Iran is not limited to its geographical borders. According to him, "the true sanctuary of the Islamic Republic of Iran is the people," and defending it means defending the security of Iran, its national interests, and its citizens. He added that the fighters do not need to wait until the enemy reaches the country's borders to deal with it, and that "one must not compromise with the enemy."

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei also attacked US policy toward Iran and claimed that it has become a "real farce." According to him, the US is trying to create an illusion of a "coalition against Iran" through ties with countries like Bahrain, which have almost no significant economic ties with Iran. At the same time, he claims, the US is "suspending" sports and academic exchanges with Iran, even though these have actually not been taking place for years.