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The move overturned Miller’s order last week to send the USS Nimitz out of the region and home, in part, to send a de-escalation signal to Iran amid mounting tensions between Washington and Tehran.
A defense official said Miller’s idea of de-escalation was not adopted as a formal and approved policy. It took the senior commanders by surprise, multiple defense sources said. The US central command wanted the carrier to stay in the region due to Iran’s deterrence policy.
The White House and the NSC did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.
On Sunday Miller announced that the USS Nimitz would remain in place due to alleged Iranian threats “against President Trump and other US government officials.” Miller said in a statement that he “ordered the USS Nimitz to stop its routine redeployment.” The aircraft carrier “will now remain stationed in the US Central Command area of operations,” Miller added.
“No one should doubt the determination of the United States of America,” he said.
Last week, CNN reported that there had been mixed messages reflecting divisions within the Pentagon over Iran’s current threat level.
This story is breaking and will be updated.
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