The Trump administration is reviewing plans to expand the US military force posture in the Middle East as strikes against Yemen’s Houthis continue, according to American officials, including the deployment of a second aircraft carrier to regional waters.

In recent weeks, US forces have intensified operations against the Iran-backed group, carrying out precision airstrikes targeting Houthi infrastructure and leadership across Yemen. This approach marks a notable departure from the Biden administration’s previous strategy.

With daily strikes ongoing, the Pentagon is finalizing plans to deploy additional personnel and air defense capabilities, officials told Al Arabiya English. The objective is to degrade the Houthis’ military capabilities and deter further attacks, particularly against international shipping lanes in the Red Sea. Officials expect operations to persist until the Houthis cease their aggression.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth extended the deployment of the Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier to the Middle East this week and is expected to order a second aircraft carrier to the region in the coming weeks, officials familiar with the decision confirmed to Al Arabiya English. The Associated Press first reported news of the Truman’s extension.

Since the campaign began last weekend, US forces have conducted over 50 strikes, hitting key Houthi military sites, including drone launch facilities and weapons depots. According to US officials, these strikes have inflicted significant losses on Houthi forces and leadership.

A more assertive strategy

The Trump administration’s approach represents a significant shift in military strategy compared to its predecessor.

“The approach under the Trump administration indicates a willingness to expand the target set and the geography of military strikes,” Dana Stroul, the former top Pentagon official for the Middle East in the Biden administration, told Al Arabiya English.

Unlike Biden-era operations, which largely focused on military targets such as underground weapons storage and radar sites, recent strikes have included the homes of senior Houthi leaders and officials involved in the group’s drone program.

Stroul noted that, coupled with the reimposition of the Houthis’ Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation, the new campaign could increase pressure on the group by further isolating Yemen from the international financial system and discouraging commercial engagement.

Shortly after taking office in 2021, President Biden removed the Houthis from the FTO list, reversing a Trump-era designation. President Donald Trump has since reinstated it, signaling a return to maximum pressure tactics against Iran-backed groups in the region.

Operational shifts and delegation of authority

A key difference in the current approach is the increased delegation of decision-making authority to operational commanders. Under Biden, strikes required approval from senior officials, slowing response times. In contrast, the Trump administration has given military commanders greater autonomy to determine targets and execute attacks when opportunities arise.

Joint Staff Director for Operations Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich emphasized the benefits of this shift.

“The delegation of authorities from the president through the secretary of defense down to the operational commander allows us to achieve a tempo of operations where we can react to opportunities that we see on the battlefield in order to continue to put pressure on the Houthis,” he told reporters this week.

According to Stroul, this flexibility enables the US to transition from occasional retaliatory strikes to a sustained military campaign. However, she cautioned that careful target selection remains critical to minimizing civilian casualties.

Iran’s role and regional implications

The Trump administration has also intensified its warnings to Iran over its support for the Houthis, holding Tehran responsible for providing the group with weapons, intelligence, and training.

“Importantly, the Trump administration has prioritized the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce,” Gen. Joseph Votel, the former commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM).

Trump’s letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei earlier this month reportedly included a two-month deadline to reach a new nuclear deal or face the risk of US or Israeli military action against Iranian nuclear facilities. Next week, US and Israeli officials will meet in Washington to discuss Iran’s nuclear program and its support for proxy groups across the Middle East.