Pentagon orders USS Nimitz back to Persian Gulf

President Donald Trump's withdrawal of troops in the two countries spurred the Pentagon to send the Bremerton, Washington-based aircraft carrier and its flotilla of ships back to the gulf, where it had been for much of the fall. 

"This action ensures we have sufficient capability available to respond to any threat and to deter any adversary from acting against our troops during the force reduction," the Pentagon said in a statement. 

Navy Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich, a spokeswoman for the 5th Fleet, said there was no specific threat that led the carrier, its dozens of aircraft and the strike group back to the Persian Gulf. 

CNN reported Friday the move came before news of an assassination of a prominent Iranian nuclear scientist. The Nimitz could remain in the area into January, when the incoming Biden administration will take power, the network reported.