India, May 2 -- The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, has left the Middle East after taking part in US operations against Iran, according to a U.S. official on Friday.

Its departure reduces the number of American carrier strike groups in the region from three to two.

Two US carriers still remain

The Ford is now in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.

The carrier has been at sea for more than 10 months, one of the longest deployments for a modern U.S. carrier in decades.

During that mission, it reportedly operated in the Caribbean and later joined the military buildup linked to the Iran conflict.

Problems at sea

The deployment was not without trouble. A fire broke out in a laundry room aboard the...