Satellite Images Reveal U.S. Aircraft Carrier Deployments Near Iran’s Coast

On July 8, while attending the NATO summit, the U.S. president said the memorandum of understanding with Iran had “ended” amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran prevented ships from passing outside the routes it had designated.

The statement came after at least three tankers were targeted during the first week of the month, followed by an exchange of strikes between U.S. and Iranian forces.

The escalation reached its peak on July 13, when the U.S. president announced the reinstatement of a blockade on Iran. According to U.S. Central Command, a maritime zone was established in the Arabian Sea, stretching from the Omani coast to the Iranian coast, barring Iranian vessels and ships heading to Iran from passing through it.

The escalation also affected military deployments in the region. Satellite images showed that two U.S. aircraft carriers were operating within the U.S. Central Command’s area of operations after returning to the region following the reinstatement of the blockade. One of the carriers was spotted on July 10, about 180 kilometers off the Iranian coast.

Satellite images showed U.S. warship activity in the Gulf of Oman amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz between the United States and Iran.

Specifically, satellite imagery captured on July 12 showed the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) sailing off the coast of Oman. Sentinel-2 satellite images also located the carrier at the coordinates [22.514320, 60.587130].

An analysis of satellite imagery by Misbar’s team at Al Araby TV placed the carrier about 300 kilometers from the Iranian coast.

The analysis showed at least two destroyers operating as part of the carrier strike group in the Gulf of Oman. Based on measurements from satellite tools, the accompanying naval vessels were positioned within a radius of about 14 kilometers from the carrier.

Misbar’s team had first detected the carrier in the Gulf of Oman on July 10 at the coordinates [23.016589, 60.068689], about 77 kilometers north of its current location.

Alongside the USS Abraham Lincoln, satellite images showed a military formation involving the U.S. aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, located about 181 kilometers from the Iranian coast.

Sentinel-2 satellite imagery also showed the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), accompanied by several warships, near the blockade line in the Gulf of Oman at the coordinates [23.496760, 61.569870].

Satellite imagery captured on July 10 appeared to show the USS George H.W. Bush underway, based on the visible wake behind the carrier, accompanied by two destroyers near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz.

How Misbar Identified the U.S. Aircraft Carriers Near Iran’s Coast

To identify the vessels, Misbar’s team used satellite imagery analysis tools, which allow for approximate measurements of objects visible in images. The team measured the vessel shown in the July 12 image and found it to be approximately 332 meters long and 78 meters wide. These dimensions correspond with those of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.

The team also measured the vessel shown in images captured on July 10, which was approximately 333 meters long and about 33 meters wide. If the measurement was taken from the ship’s hull rather than the flight deck, the dimensions would correspond with those of the USS George H.W. Bush. However, if the measurement referred to the flight deck, the figure would require further review before publication.

USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George H.W. Bush Aircraft Carriers

The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) are nuclear-powered aircraft carriers operated by the U.S. Navy. Each carrier measures about 333 meters in length and is powered by nuclear reactors, allowing it to remain at sea for extended periods without requiring refueling.

Each carrier operates an air wing consisting of more than 60 aircraft and helicopters, including multirole fighter jets, early warning aircraft, and electronic warfare platforms. They are typically accompanied by carrier strike groups made up of destroyers and support vessels, which provide protection and enable long-range naval and air operations.

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