United States, Jan 30, 2026 (Reuters) – The US Navy has sent an additional warship to the Middle East, a US official told Reuters on Thursday, amid a large military buildup in the region and soaring tensions with Iran.

The official, who was speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the USS Delbert D. Black had entered the region in the past 48 hours. This brings the number of destroyers in the Middle East to six, along with an aircraft carrier and three other littoral combat ships.

The additional warship in the region was first reported by CBS News.

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Tensions between Iran and the United States have risen sharply following Tehran’s violent crackdown on anti-government protests earlier this month, which rights groups say left thousands dead.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to intervene to support protesters and has warned that time is running out for a nuclear deal with Iran, saying a failure to reach an agreement would trigger a major US attack.

Iran on Thursday vowed a “crushing response” to any strike.