Feb. 13 (UPI) -- The U.S. military is sending the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, to the Middle East as tensions with Tehran over its nuclear program ratchet up, President Donald Trump confirmed Friday.

By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali WASHINGTON, Feb 13 (Reuters) - The U.S. military is preparing for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if President Donald Trump orders an

Trump said that he decided to move a second aircraft carrier into the Middle East as he presses Iran to make a deal over its nuclear program.

The US military is preparing for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if President Donald Trump orders an attack, in what could become a far more serious conflict than previously seen between the countries.

The aircraft carrier Gerald R Ford will join the Abraham Lincoln carrier, several guided-missile destroyers, fighter jets and surveillance aircraft that have been moved to the Middle East in recent weeks.