U.S. Maintains Diplomatic Efforts While Preparing for Potential Iran Strikes, Abraham Lincoln Carrier on High Alert on July 10

According to U.S. officials, as of July 10, the U.S. is maintaining diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions with Iran while simultaneously preparing for potential strikes. Officials stated that the U.S. has intentionally paused strikes to avoid escalation and preserve diplomatic space, while maintaining a target list as leverage.

On the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier deployed in the Arabian Sea, aircraft maintenance crews loaded weapons onto fighter jets and pilots conducted drills on July 10 in preparation for potential operations. The carrier commander informed thousands of personnel that tensions are rising and ordered heightened readiness, though U.S. officials indicated that reported Iranian claims of additional American strikes that evening were inaccurate.