Pakistan, Jan. 27 -- The US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its supporting warships have entered the Middle East region, expanding Washington's military presence as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to simmer, according to two US officials.

Read More: US deploys aircraft carrier as Iran warns against attack

The carrier strike group, which includes several guided-missile destroyers, has crossed into the area of responsibility of the US military's Central Command, the officials told Reuters. The deployment enhances President Donald Trump's ability to protect US forces in the region and provides additional military options should tensions escalate.

Trump said last week that the United States had an "armada" hea...