Near Iran, the United States Navy has deployed two Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS George H.W. Bush, as hostilities in the region are getting underway again. Maritime trackers confirmed on Friday both supercarriers were in the Gulf of Oman.

The massive naval force is meant to bolster security around the vital Strait of Hormuz, which carries some 20% of the world’s oil. The move is also viewed as a strategic attempt to push back against Tehran following an escalation of attacks on ships off Iran’s coasts.

The fighting between Washington and Tehran has been resumed following White House announcement that the ceasefire between the two countries was officially ended. The U.S. has recently blamed Iran for attacking three commercial tankers, but President Donald Trump said diplomatic negotiations could still be ongoing.

In response to the attacks on the tankers, the U.S. military attacked Iranian military bases, a response that Iran retaliated against with an attack on American military bases in the neighboring Gulf nations. Six Iranian cities were hit by the U.S. on Wednesday and Thursday, killing at least 17, according to Reuters.

Expanding Naval Operations to Protect Global Supply Lines

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has dramatically increased its presence in the region, with more than 20 warships deployed throughout the Middle East. Through a social media post, CENTCOM officials said these ships are on the move in the area to advance security and stability.

CENTCOM did not comment on any issues regarding operations, but experts point out the strategic placement, including the potential of renewed economic pressure against Iran. The carriers are now in the range of Iran’s missiles, making them much more risky. As naval groups look to blockade operations and strait transits, they move closer to the Iranian threat, said retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery.

Diplomatic moves to defuse the situation are continuing, although there is some military build up taking place. De-escalation talks between a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar and Tehran on Friday came to a close. Additionally, Iran’s officials are also set to attend Oman on Saturday to take up the talks about security in the Strait of Hormuz.