The Wall Street Journal, citing U.S. officials aware of military planning, reported that U.S. warships in the Middle East are preparing for a possible escalation of hostilities so they will have the necessary readiness if U.S. President Donald Trump decides to carry out a new round of attacks against the Islamic Republic in the coming weeks.

During a rare visit to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington and a missile-equipped guided-missile destroyer in the Arabian Sea, the newspaper witnessed flight operations and an extensive process of replenishing munitions and supplies for these vessels.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the weapons shipments included large numbers of long-range attack missiles aimed at ground targets and bunker-busting bombs designed to penetrate ground targets.

Nicholas DeLio, the captain and commanding officer of the aircraft carrier George Washington, said: “We are always ready. We are always vigilant, focused on our surrounding environment, and prepared to act, whether reactively or preemptively.”