Israel National News reports: “Tensions in the Middle East continued to rise on Monday as US warplanes and aircraft carriers moved closer to the Persian Gulf, prompting growing concern among regional officials that the United States may strike Iran in the coming days – a move that could trigger widespread retaliation by Iran and its proxy militias, The New York Times reported.

According to a US official quoted by The Times, the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by three warships armed with Tomahawk missiles, entered the Central Command area of responsibility in the western Indian Ocean on Monday. If ordered, the carrier could launch strikes on Iran within one to two days. The US has also deployed a dozen F‑15E attack aircraft to bolster its strike capabilities.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that he could order military action against Iran since protests erupted across the country in late December and grew into nationwide demonstrations…”