The US is steadily amassing additional military forces in the region, according to open-source intelligence analysts, media outlets covering the US military and American newspapers reporting on Wednesday. According to The Wall Street Journal, President Trump has continued to press his advisers for “decisive” military options against Iran, even after backing away from a strike last week. Senior US officials told the paper that the president repeatedly uses the word “decisive” when describing the impact he wants any American action against Iran to have.

At the center of the buildup is the movement of the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and its strike group, which includes destroyers, F-35 jets and additional combat aircraft. According to maritime tracking websites, the carrier passed through the Malacca Strait on Tuesday and is heading west toward the Persian Gulf, several days away. After leaving the heavily trafficked shipping lane, the vessel has been sailing without activating its AIS transponder, which enables open-source tracking.

Last week, there were also reports of European military aircraft moving into the region, including British Typhoon jets.