Pentagon says U.S. carrier, bombers sent to Middle East on 'credible threat' by Iran - RTRS

U.S. acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan crossed the wires overnight who has approved sending a carrier strike group and bombers to the Middle East because of indications of a “credible threat by Iranian regime forces,” according to a Reuters article. 

"U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said on Sunday the United States was deploying the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East to send a message to Iran.

While neither Shanahan nor Bolton provided details on U.S. intelligence, other U.S. officials told Reuters there were “multiple, credible threats” against U.S. forces on land, including in Iraq, by Iran and proxy forces and at sea.

“(It) represents a prudent repositioning of assets in response to indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces,” Shanahan said on Twitter.

Still, questions remain on what specific intelligence- gathering method was used, how relevant the intelligence was, and how those threats differ from the usual concern about Iranian military activity in the region."