The Pentagon said that US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz would remain in the Middle East waters due to “threats from Iran”, reversing a previous decision to order the warship to return home. “Due to the recent threats issued by Iranian leaders against President (Donald) Trump and other US government officials, I have ordered the USS Nimitz to halt its routine redeployment,” said Acting Defence Secretary Chris Miller.

“The USS Nimitz will now remain on station in the US Central Command area of operations. No one should doubt the resolve of the United States of America,” Miller added in the statement. The statement was contrary to a decision made by the Acting Defence Secretary just three days ago, in which he ordered the aircraft carrier to transit directly home to complete a nearly 10-month deployment.

The latest move also came when Iran marked the first death anniversary of former Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed on January 3. 2020, in an American airstrike near the Baghdad International Airport. The drone strike triggered an escalated regional conflict between Iran and the US.