The U.S. military has rapidly increased its presence near Iran, moving more than 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East since nuclear talks between the two countries ended without a breakthrough on February 17.
Major buildup since failed talks
According to publicly available flight tracking data and satellite imagery reviewed by The Washington Post, the current level of U.S. forces in the region ranks among the largest in more than two decades, dating back to before the 2003 Iraq war.
The deployment follows President Trump’s threat to attack Iran unless a deal is reached to restrict its nuclear program, though no specific goals for such an action have been stated.
Iranian officials have indicated that a deal remains possible but will require time.
Experts reviewing the movements noted that this buildup exceeds the one seen before U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear program in June last year.
They described the assembled assets as suited for a multiday campaign, without involving a ground invasion.
Carriers and key assets deployed
Dozens of additional planes are aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford, spotted off the coast of Crete on Monday.
The Ford is the second aircraft carrier sent to the Middle East, meaning roughly a third of all active U.S. ships are now in the region.
More than half of the newly deployed aircraft have landed at bases in Europe, placing them out of range of most Iranian missiles.
This positioning allows strategic placement of materiel and personnel while avoiding presenting an easy target.
Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan has received a significant share of air assets, with satellite imagery from Friday showing more than 60 warplanes, including over a dozen F-35 fighter jets lined up on the tarmac.
These stealth jets are often used to suppress air defenses and provide electronic warfare support.
The U.S. has also sent more than a third of its active E-3G Sentry fleet to Europe and the Middle East for early warning and surveillance.
Photos and videos have captured dozens of warplanes at European airstrips, including F-22A Raptors at Lakenheath in the United Kingdom, F-16s in the Azores, and at least 10 F-35s at Chania Airport in Crete.
Additional aircraft, including electronic warfare planes, are on the USS Abraham Lincoln off the Omani coast since early February.
Both carriers are accompanied by guided missile destroyers carrying dozens of Tomahawk missiles, previously used in strikes on Iranian nuclear targets.
Expert views on capabilities
Dana Stroul, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East and now research director at the Washington Institute, said the massive force enables the U.S. to carry out anything from a sustained campaign to limited strikes, depending on decisions made.
Mark Cancian from the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that an extended weeks-long air campaign would require even more assets.
Defense officials confirmed the major deployment but declined to discuss details, citing operational security.
