USS Gerald R Ford Exits Middle East As US Signals End Of Iran Hostilities

The USS Gerald R Ford has departed the Middle East following its involvement in operations linked to tensions with Iran, according to reports citing a US official.

With its exit, two American aircraft carriers, the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS George HW Bush, remain deployed in the region.

The Ford’s deployment lasted over 10 months, setting a new record for the longest US aircraft carrier deployment since the Vietnam War era.

During this period, an incident on March 12 left two sailors injured after a fire broke out in one of the ship’s laundry areas, the US Navy confirmed.

The carrier strike group had originally set sail on June 24, 2025, from Virginia, heading towards the US European Command zone. Its mission later expanded to include counter-narcotics operations in Latin America before it was reassigned to the Middle East as tensions with Iran intensified.

Trump Declares End to Conflict

Separately, US President Donald Trump informed lawmakers that the conflict with Iran has formally ended, noting that military operations have ceased in line with legal requirements.

In a letter to congressional leaders, he stated that there had been no exchange of fire since April 7, 2026, and that hostilities which began on February 28, 2026, had now concluded.

The decision aligns with the War Powers Resolution, which obliges the President to end military action within 60 days of notifying Congress unless it grants further approval.

The administration had issued such a notification in early March.

Reports suggest the announcement aims to address ongoing concerns in Washington over the absence of prior congressional authorisation for the operation.

Despite declaring the end of active conflict, Trump indicated that discussions with Iran remain unsettled.

Speaking before boarding Marine One, the US President said he remains dissatisfied with the current terms under consideration and left open both diplomatic and military options. He characterised Iran’s leadership as divided, arguing that internal disagreements were complicating negotiations and weakening the country’s position in ongoing talks.

Also Read: President Trump Declares End Of Iran Conflict As Legal Deadline Expires