Carrier Moves Toward Iran as Ceasefire Nears End
Admiral Cooper backs strikes while Vance frames twin goals of cheap oil and no nuclear Iran.
Carrier Moves Toward Iran as Ceasefire Nears End — The aircraft carrier George Washington, with its strike group, is moving toward Iran as the 60-day ceasefire between Washington and Tehran approaches its end[^1]. The deployment replaces the Abraham Lincoln, whose crew has spent over 250 days in the Middle East without rotation[^2]. Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, supports resuming strikes on Iran, arguing new strikes could force Tehran to reconsider its position[^3]. Last week, he visited Israel and participated in a meeting of the IDF's highest operational forum with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir[^4]. US Vice President J.D. Vance framed the administration's priorities bluntly: "Goal number 1: keep oil and gas cheap for Americans. Goal number 2: ensure Iran never gets a nuclear weapon."[^5] Trump said Iran is in economic chaos with 300% inflation[^6]. Treasury Secretary Bessent warned of measures "never seen before" on Iran, signaling economic isolation as a key lever. The Pentagon has given defense contractors 21 days to submit plans to accelerate weapons production. Meanwhile, Jared Kushner, architect of the Abraham Accords, hinted at another regional shift: "We surprised the world once... I believe we can do it again." He said the region has been "trapped in old ideas and failed frameworks that managed the conflict instead of resolving it". His planned visit to Israel and Egypt next week for Gaza talks suggests diplomatic tracks continue alongside military pressure. The tension between Vance's two goals—cheap oil and no nuclear Iran—remains unresolved as the ceasefire clock runs down. Eisenkot's warning and the armored limousine — Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, published a statement on X claiming that Hamas has rebuilt its forces in the Gaza Strip and is preparing an attack on Israel.[^1] He criticized the government as 'failed' and promised a commission of inquiry after the elections to prevent another October 7.[^1] The warning lands as the IDF has been attacking militants in Gaza for the third consecutive day, and as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated at a security meeting that the rules of engagement in Gaza have not changed