The US president said a large naval contingent was heading to the region after promising to help protesters in the Middle Eastern country.
US military assets – including an aircraft carrier, warplanes and air defense systems – are building up in the Middle East after US President Donald Trump vowed to “help is on the way” to the protesters in Iran.
The military surge comes as Iran has been rocked by widespread violent protests, fueled by economic woes, persistent inflation and a sharp drop in the value of the Iranian rial, as well as energy shortages. Iranian officials blamed the unrest on US and Israeli interference and put the death toll at more than 3,000, including nearly 700. “terrorists.”
Trump later escalated the rhetoric, saying Monday “the great army” was moving towards the region and was now close to Iran. Earlier media reports said the US president was close to authorizing military strikes against Iran earlier this month, but several of Washington’s Middle Eastern partners dissuaded him.
Iran has warned that it will consider any US attack an act “total war.”
Here’s what we know about US forces being deployed to the Middle East.
‘Armada’ on the move
The core of the US military presence in the region now consists of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers redeployed from the Asia-Pacific region. The carrier can operate up to 90 aircraft, including F-35 and F/A-18 fighter jets as well as EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets. According to the Wall Street Journal, the three accompanying destroyers could, among other things, launch long-range Tomahawk missiles.
In addition, the US has moved squadrons of F-15E Strike Eagles from bases in Britain to the region, with some reports saying they are operating from Jordan.
Preparing for Iranian retaliation
On the defense side, the US is also moving the Patriot and THAAD air defense systems to the region to protect US military installations and Washington’s partners. Media reports also indicated that Washington had redeployed cargo planes and tankers to support any operation.
Who and what is in the viewfinder?
According to a Middle East Eye report, the US is considering targeting “high value” Iranian officials and military commanders believe she is responsible for the protesters’ deaths.
During the 12-day war in the summer of 2025, the US and Israel targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, its air defenses and anti-missile capabilities, as well as prominent military leaders and nuclear scientists.
Israel on high alert
Israel – a key US ally in the region – has said it is preparing to repel potential Iranian strikes.
The Israeli military has built the Iron Dome air defense system, as well as F-35 stealth fighters and other strike aircraft capable of rapid reaction.
Potential response from Iran
The Iranian government warned that any attack on the country would be considered an attack “total war” she adds that her powers have their own “trigger finger.” Tehran has deployed a sizeable fleet of long-range drones as well as a large arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles capable of hitting targets throughout the Middle East, including US bases and allied infrastructure.
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