The U.S. military is rerouting the USS Nimitz carrier strike group to the Middle East ahead of schedule from the South China Sea to bolster its presence in the region. The Nimitz, which could reach the Middle East as soon as this week,

The Pentagon is routing another aircraft carrier to the region and sending additional aircraft to Europe as the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates.

U.S. aircraft carrier USS Nimitz left the South China Sea on Monday morning heading west, according to data from ship tracking website Marine Traffic, after a reception for its planned port call in central Vietnam was cancelled.

The U.S. military has moved a large number of refueling aircraft to Europe to provide options to President Donald Trump as Middle East tensions soar, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Monday. The officials also said the U.