A U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln, is now operating in the Arabian Sea and Gulf region after being rerouted from the Indo‑Pacific as Washington warns Iran over its nuclear programme, protests, and regional activities. At the same time, analysts note that China’s research vessel Dayang Yihao (“Ocean No. 1”) has been conducting seabed mapping and oceanographic survey work in the Arabian Sea west of India since December 19. SeaLight, a Stanford‑linked maritime analysis group, reports the ship’s track in roughly the same wider operating area as the Lincoln, prompting speculation that Beijing is shadowing U.S. naval movements. Watch for more