1 of 5

In this Saturday, June 1, 2019 photo, Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and part of the Bomber Task Force deployed to the region, conduct joint exercises in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in Arabian sea. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Amber Smalley/U.S. Navy via AP)

2 of 5

3 of 5

In this Saturday, June 1, 2019 photo, a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, and the U.S. Navy carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, conduct joint exercises in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in Arabian sea. (Staff Sgt. Erin Piazza/U.S. Air Force via AP)

4 of 5

5 of 5

In this Saturday, June 1, 2019 photo, U.S. Navy F-18 Hornets form up off the wing of a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, and part of the Bomber Task Force deployed to the region conduct joint exercises in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in Arabian sea. (Staff Sgt. Erin Piazza/U.S. Air Force via AP)

B-52, aircraft carrier in Mideast over Iran conduct exercise

By Associated Press AP

PUBLISHED 8:10 AM ET Jun. 02, 2019

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. military says a B-52 bomber and an aircraft carrier dispatched to the Mideast over a perceived threat from Iran have conducted a joint exercise together in the Arabian Sea.

The Air Force said in a statement Sunday that the exercise saw F/A-18 Super Hornets, MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters and E-2D Growlers from the USS Abraham Lincoln fly with the B-52 bomber.

The Air Force says the aircraft also "simulated strike operations" in the exercise, which took place on Saturday.

The White House dispatched the Lincoln and its strike force to the Mideast in May over an Iranian threat it did not describe at the time.

The U.S. pulled out of Iran's nuclear deal a year ago. Since then, relations have grown tense as America imposes ever-tougher sanctions on Tehran.