DOMINANT ANGLE
Moscow is counting the ships and personnel of the American reinforcement in the Middle East, linking it to Trump's rejection of the Iranian de-escalation plan and the possible resumption of strikes after November 3.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
According to the Wall Street Journal, as reported by Interfax and TASS, the Pentagon is sending a third aircraft carrier group and Marines, totaling 9,000 to 10,000 additional troops, by the end of November.
- 02
The Theodore Roosevelt left San Diego on Sunday, September 27, escorted by the cruiser Chosin and the destroyers Paul Hamilton, Decatur, and Carl M. Levin; the Makin Island group followed on Monday, September 28.
- 03
Trump rejected the Iranian de-escalation plan and does not rule out resuming strikes after the November 3 election, Interfax reports, citing the WSJ.
ANALYSIS
Moscow, October 3, 2026. The Russian press is treating the American reinforcement as a matter of numbers and calendar, citing American media. Interfax, on Thursday, October 1, reported, according to the Wall Street Journal, that the Pentagon is sending "the third assault naval force" and additional ships from the Marine Corps, which brings the number of personnel in the region from 9,000 to 10,000 men. TASS, from New York, picked up the same source and specified that ships, fighters, Marines, and sailors are expected by the end of November.
The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt left San Diego on Sunday, September 27. The amphibious group of the Makin Island, with three vessels and the Marines of the 13th expeditionary unit, set sail on Monday, September 28. TASS noted that this departure, according to the newspaper, is part of a scheduled deployment.
In a dispatch on October 3, Interfax detailed, according to The War Zone and a spokesperson for the US Navy, the composition of the group. The escort includes the cruiser Chosin and the destroyers Paul Hamilton, Decatur, and Carl M. Levin. The embarked aviation includes a squadron of F-35C, three of F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a squadron of electronic warfare EA-18G, E-2D Hawkeye, helicopters, and CMV-22B convertibles. The amphibious group carries 2,500 military personnel and two squadrons of F-35B. Two aircraft carriers, the George H.W. Bush and the George Washington, are already on site.
The political context comes from the Wall Street Journal, cited by the two agencies. According to Interfax, the aircraft carrier left a few days after Donald Trump stated that he rejected the Iranian de-escalation plan. TASS added that the president is considering resuming strikes against Iran after the midterm elections, and that he allegedly told his entourage to expect the resumption of bombings in November.
The George Washington could return to its Japanese port once the Roosevelt arrives. If this is not the case, TASS noted that it would be the first time since April that the United States has aligned three aircraft carrier groups in the region.
The two agencies are sticking to military logistics. They are not repeating Trump's statements on the link between Iran and the FlyDubai flight incident, nor the Camp David meeting, nor the American response to Tehran's proposal.
