WASHINGTON —The Pentagon is dispatching a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East as President Trump is reportedly weighing whether to ramp up the war against Iran after the midterms.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt and its strike group departed San Diego on Sunday, carrying up to 9,000 to 10,000 service members as Trump mulls over his next steps with Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported. The strike group is reportedly slated to arrive in November. 

It’s not immediately clear if the deployment is intended to relieve another aircraft carrier in the region or add to the force posture there.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt and its strike group departed San Diego on Sunday. Getty Images

Already, the USS George H.W. Bush and USS George Washington are stationed in the region, the latter of which relieved the USS Abraham Lincoln in August after its record-setting long deployment and allegedly bleak conditions for its crew. The USS George Washington is typically deployed in the Pacific Ocean and is ported in Japan.

Due to harrowing reports of weary sailors attempting to jump overboard amid shortages of critical supplies thanks to Iranian strikes that disrupted supply lines in the region, particularly a key port in Bahrain, the Pentagon made plans for the USS Theodore Roosevelt to be ready for a long stay.

This included maximizing its stash of food, hygiene, retail, and other critical supplies before its deployment, something Navy leadership touted last month.

They also took steps to ensure sailors will have more reliable communication with their families back at home and better quality of life amenities aboard the aircraft carrier. 

“That means new entertainment equipment on the mess decks, more durable fitness equipment, spare cardio machines ready for our placement, and even holiday materials purchased ahead of time,” Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle said in a video announcement last motth about the reforms made.

President Trump reportedly considering new strikes on Iran after the midterm elections. Anadolu via Getty Images

The Post contacted the Pentagon and US Central Command for comment. 

Last week, Trump rejected Iran’s proposed seven-day cease-fire offer, calling it unacceptable. Iran indicated it would open up the Strait of Hormuz during that time, but top administration officials have contended that the US is already getting oil through the critical chokepoint. 

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There are believed to be around 20 Navy ships in the region helping with escort 

The president also indicated that he may resume a bombing campaign against Iran after the midterm elections. 

A F/A-18 Super Hornet parked on the USS George Washington on Sept. 4, 2026. US NAVY/AFP via Getty Images

“Because by annihilating Iran, we’ve created peace in the world,” he told Time magazine. “With Iran, I don’t think you could ever have peace.”

For weeks, the Trump administration has maintained a blockade around Iran as part of a brutal economic pressure campaign. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has also spearheaded Operation Economic Outcast to pressure other countries to cease business with Iran.