US Military Forces Amass Near Iran: A Show of Strength Ahead of Possible Strike
The United States is significantly increasing its military presence in the Middle East, with reports indicating readiness to strike Iran as early as Saturday. This buildup comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, particularly following remarks from Donald Trump regarding Iran's treatment of protesters and its nuclear ambitions.
As the rhetoric intensifies, US military deployments have surged. The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier was recently sighted off the coast of Oman, soon to be accompanied by the USS Gerald R Ford, the largest warship in the world, valued at $13 billion.
Destroyers and specialized combat vessels are strategically positioned to cover Iran’s southern flank, while F-15 and EA-18 fighter jets are amassing at bases to the west. President Trump issued a warning on Wednesday, stating that failure to reach an agreement with Iran could necessitate military action from Diego Garcia or RAF Fairford, potentially involving British forces.
Iran's leadership has signaled readiness to respond aggressively. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that the US “may be struck so hard that it cannot get back up” if it continues its attacks against Iran.
The USS Abraham Lincoln is currently operating in the Arabian Sea, while the USS Gerald R Ford is navigating through the Gibraltar Strait and could be positioned south of Cyprus within days. These carriers are supported by a protective group of destroyers, with a total of eleven destroyers and three Littoral combat ships in the region. Additionally, two or three attack submarines, including at least one armed with nuclear capabilities and Tomahawk missiles, are also present.
As the USS Gerald R Ford approaches the Mediterranean, Khamenei issued a stark warning: “An aircraft carrier is a dangerous device, but more dangerous than the carrier is the weapon that can send it to the bottom of the sea.”
Tehran's military posturing included closing the Strait of Hormuz for naval drills for the first time since the 1980s. Further exercises were conducted in collaboration with Russia in the Sea of Oman on Thursday.
The US may not need to deploy a second aircraft carrier to engage in potential conflict with Iran; positioning the nuclear-powered USS Gerald R Ford in the eastern Mediterranean could provide necessary support for Israel and Jordan if required.
Jordan hosts the Muwaffaq Salti military base, where recent activity has seen an increase in combat and cargo aircraft. Aging F-15s and A-10 Warthogs have been observed alongside C-130 transport aircraft on the tarmac. Approximately 10,000 US troops remain stationed across various bases in the region.
Long-range aircraft are also being mobilized, with flight trackers indicating movements of Boeing KC-135 tankers towards Europe and the Middle East, suggesting preparations for extended operations. Last summer, B-2 bombers executed a 36-hour round trip from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to strike Iran before returning home.
This week, over 50 F-35, F-22, and F-16 fighter jets have been deployed to the broader region, according to flight radar data. The two aircraft carriers can accommodate up to 180 aircraft combined.
Trump reiterated that if Iran does not comply with negotiations, “it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia and the airfield located in Fairford to eliminate a potential threat from a highly unstable regime.”
RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire serves as a US-operated base for bombers. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson stated: “As routine, we do not comment on the operational activity of other nations, including third-party use of UK bases.” Any proposed US operations from UK bases would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The US appears to be enhancing its air defenses in anticipation of possible Iranian retaliation. Following last year’s Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Iran retaliated against an American military base in Qatar. The US may be preparing for similar scenarios by deploying C-5 and C-17 aircraft to transport air defense assets to its regional bases.
Senior national security officials informed Trump that military readiness for a strike against Iran could be achieved by Saturday, although one unnamed official cautioned that full deployment might take weeks. “The president has ordered continued buildup in the region, including the arrival of the second carrier group. Full forces should be in place by mid-March,” they stated.
