The Trump administration on Monday announced the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group's deployment to the Persian Gulf. But that only represents one element of growing U.S. naval-air power near Iran.

First off, the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group is already in the Persian Gulf. Centered around the highly capable 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, this group is supported by aging but deadly-for-Iran Harrier jump jets. This capability will grow when the Harriers are soon replaced with F-35B fighter jets.

Second, the John C. Stennis group is in the eastern Atlantic heading home from the Mediterranean Sea (approximately six days' sail to the Persian Gulf). In addition, the Harry S. Truman carrier group — currently conducting readiness exercises off the Virginia coast — could reach the Persian Gulf within about 12 days. The ability to station three carrier strike groups off Iran within two weeks is significant. Yes, turning the Stennis around would be a significant step, As would deploying the Truman to the Gulf. But the Trump administration hasn't been afraid to wave the military stick in Iran's face.

In April, the Stennis and Lincoln groups conducted a joint exercise in the Mediterranean Sea. Politico's deputy defense editor Dave Brown pointed out that the Navy declared the exercise focused on Russia, but I believe Iran was also on the the radar. Joint carrier operations are the U.S. Navy baseline strategy for an Iran conflict. In short, the U.S. has near-term means of significantly upping its naval pressure on Iran.