WASHINGTON: The United States (US) has deployed a substantial military force to the Middle East, including warships, fighter jets, and refueling aircraft, amid heightened tensions with Iran. Officials say the buildup could support a sustained campaign against Tehran if President Donald Trump orders strikes.
🚨 BREAKING: 25 US Tankers Headed to the Middle East Amid Rising Tensions ⚠️✈️
25 American tankers are en route to the Middle East, as the US ramps up its military presence in the region. With Iran on the radar, the Pentagon is moving fast to ensure that aircraft stay airborne… https://t.co/3KbrfdTv9D
— Idgius Alpha (@IdgiusAlpha) February 19, 2026
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Trump, who launched attacks on Iran last year, has repeatedly warned that further military action could follow unless talks yield a replacement for the 2015 nuclear deal, which he withdrew from in 2018. Media reports from CNN and CBS indicate that US forces could be ready to strike as early as this weekend, though no final decision has been made.
Susan Ziadeh, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that “so much firepower in the region creates a momentum of its own,” suggesting that the military presence may make inaction more difficult.
Currently, the US has 13 warships in the Middle East, including the USS Abraham Lincoln, nine destroyers, and three littoral combat ships. The USS Gerald R. Ford is en route from the Atlantic, accompanied by three destroyers, marking a rare instance of two aircraft carriers operating in the region simultaneously.
The US has also deployed F-22, F-15, and F-16 fighter jets, as well as KC-135 aerial refueling planes, to sustain operations. Observers note that this military buildup coincides with Iran’s crackdown on widespread protests over economic grievances, which evolved into anti-government demonstrations.
Read More: US military preparing for potentially weeks-long Iran operations
Talks in Geneva on Tuesday sought to avoid military escalation, with Iranian officials reporting agreement on “guiding principles” for a deal. However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt cautioned that the sides remain “very far apart” on key issues, while emphasizing that “Iran would be very wise to make a deal.”