The military deployment of USA nearly Iran has reached a magnitude not seen in decades in the Middle East: nuclear aircraft carrierhundreds of combat aircraft, guided missile destroyers and thousands of soldiers strategically positioned they configure a strike force ready to act within hours, waiting only for a political decision in Washington.
According to recent international media reports, the Pentagon has concentrated on the Middle East a military device that combines offensive capacity, permanent surveillance and anti-missile defense.
Two groups of aircraft carrier lead the naval deployment, the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Fordbacked by a flotilla of warships capable of launching long-range precision missiles.
The USS Abraham Lincoln can accommodate 65 aircraft while USS Gerald R Ford for 75. Each of these aircraft carrier It is accompanied by three guided missile destroyers.
The US military deployment near Iran. (AFP).
In the air, the component is equally robust: more than 400 aircraft—including stealth fighters, electronic reconnaissance aircraft, maritime patrols and refueling tankers— They allow continuous operations and simultaneous attacks from different fronts. This air power is complemented by reinforced military bases and some 15,000 troops deployed in strategic points in the Persian Gulf, the eastern Mediterranean and areas near key maritime routes.
CNN reported that at least 18 F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters are now stationed at the Muwaffaq Salti air base in northern Jordan.
He also cited satellite images showing the arrival of various E/A-18 Growlers to the base, aircraft that are capable of waging electronic warfare campaigns against enemy air defenses and communications infrastructures.
While at the Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia, CNN confirmed the arrival of additional US military aircraft, including several E-3 Sentrywhich are essential for warning US commanders of the arrival of enemy forces or missiles and facilitating communications on the battlefield.
The American aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford crossing the Strait of Gibraltar on its way to the Middle East. (Photo by David Parody / DM Parody / AFP).
/ DAVID PARODY
According to data from FlightRadar24, The United States constantly monitors the Strait of Hormuz with P-8 Poseidon aircraft and MQ-4 Triton droneswhich have their in United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and other places in the region.
As to IranCNN reported that is strengthening several of its nuclear facilities, using concrete and large amounts of earth to bury key sites.
At this point, it should be noted that on Wednesday night the American press reported that Pentagon military strategists already have attack plans against Iran readyand that they are only waiting for the order of trump to take action. However, the president said Thursday that he was giving the Islamic Republic 10 days to negotiate an end to its nuclear program.
On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqhchi declared that There are “good possibilities” to resolve the differences between your country and the United States over the nuclear program through diplomatic channels. He added that he hopes for a new round of talks on Thursday in Geneva.
Pressure first and attack later if the negotiation fails
US President Donald Trump (left) and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / various sources / AFP).
/ ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS –
The specialist in defense and intelligence issues Andrés Gómez de la Torre maintains that the current US military movement responds to a clear strategic logic: “first deterrence, then coercion and, if negotiation fails, punitive actions.”
As explained to The CommerceWashington is applying a doctrine of “graduality and ultimatum by phases”, in which the visible display of force seeks to pressure Tehran before resorting to a direct attack.
He states that this approach coincides with the historical strategy attributed to the president trump of keeping “all options on the table”, that is, combining diplomatic, military and psychological pressure to force concessions. In that line, The president has indicated that he is considering even a limited attack if a nuclear agreement is not reached.
Gómez de la Torre emphasizes that “The military muscle deployed is not symbolic. The United States currently concentrates two aircraft carriers and a large escort fleet in the region, part of the largest deployment since the Iraq war.”
In the air component, he says that the presence of stealth fighters and attack squadrons indicates preparation for real operations and that it is not just a show of force.
Iranians pass by a huge billboard with a poem in Persian that says “The human will will defeat evil” in Valiasr Square in Tehran, Iran, on February 21, 2026. (EFE/EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH).
/ ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
For Gómez de la Torre, this pattern demonstrates strategic coherence with previous decisions by Washington: This is not an improvised move, but a planned sequence aimed at forcing negotiations under pressure, he insists.
However, he warns that the Iranian scenario differs from other recent conflicts such as that of Venezuelawhere the United States intervened militarily to capture Nicolás Maduro, because there is a real risk of regionalization of the conflict if a confrontation breaks outgiven that several neighboring countries of the Islamic Republic are allies of the United States and that Israel is part of the strategic balance.
Regarding an eventual Iranian response, the analyst predicts that it would not be conventional. Point out that Tehran would likely resort to asymmetric tactics: ballistic missiles of different ranges, drones—including swarm attacks—and the activation of allied militias in different parts of the region, a combination designed to compensate for their disadvantage in the face of American military power.
