The United States has once again deployed its third aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East as military operations against Iran continue. This move was taken after the U.S. Navy’s primary aircraft carrier was forced to leave the region for repairs.

The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush departed from Norfolk, Virginia, on Tuesday (March 31) to be deployed to the area. It sailed with an escort of several Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and is expected to take approximately three weeks to reach its destination, according to a U.S. official who requested anonymity due to a lack of authorization to speak publicly.

The deployment of USS George H.W. Bush is intended to replace USS Gerald R. Ford—the most expensive warship ever built by the United States, costing US$13.2 billion. USS Gerald R. Ford had to withdraw from combat operations following a fire incident in its laundry area.

The report regarding the deployment of USS George H.W. Bush was first published by the Wall Street Journal.

This additional military deployment comes at a time when Donald Trump is attempting to pursue a diplomatic resolution to end the conflict that has disrupted global markets. The conflict has not only driven up energy prices but also disrupted critical shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz and triggered retaliatory attacks by Iran against allied nations in the Gulf.