The USS Gerald R. Ford, recognized as the world's largest aircraft carrier, has docked at Souda Bay in Crete after a journey of 2,700 kilometers from Gibraltar, which took 72 hours at an average speed of 21 knots. This visit comes as part of a resupply mission and is expected to last four days.

The presence of the aircraft carrier is significant as it aligns with the US military's current posture in the region, particularly amid rising tensions with Iran. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump ordered the carrier strike group to move to the Middle East, indicating potential military action against Iran. The deployment of the USS Gerald Ford has been strategically timed as the US seeks to project military power and support for its allies in the volatile region.

This deployment follows previous high-profile missions, including its presence off the coast of Venezuela in December, prior to a failed attempt to destabilize the Maduro regime. The ongoing readiness of the Gerald Ford and its strike group in the eastern Mediterranean is a critical factor as geopolitical dynamics evolve and US foreign policy in the region continues to unfold, potentially impacting relations with both Iran and regional allies.