USS Gerald Ford Arrives at US Base on Crete En Route to Middle East

Russian coverage portrays the USS Gerald R. Ford’s movement as an example of Washington using military pressure while talking to Iran. Reports stress that the carrier left Crete just as US-Iran talks were starting, suggesting the US is trying to gain an upper hand rather than seek equal dialogue. Russian outlets warn that such deployments risk miscalculation and could be used to justify future strikes on Iran or its partners.

• •The USS Gerald R. Ford left the Greek island of Crete for the Middle East on 26 February 2026 at the same time US-Iran talks were beginning.
• •US leaders are using the presence of the world’s largest aircraft carrier to pressure Iran during negotiations instead of treating Tehran as an equal partner.
• •The growing US naval presence near Iran increases the chance of incidents that could be blamed on Tehran and used as a pretext for military action.
• •Russian commentators argue that Washington is trying to dominate the region militarily while accusing others of destabilizing it.
• •Moscow-linked voices suggest that Iran will respond by deepening ties with Russia and China to counter US pressure in the Gulf.