The United States is carrying out a significant buildup, moving dozens of military aircraft, air defence systems and naval forces towards Europe and the Middle East, according to flight-tracking observations and defence analysts.
Observers tracked at least 17 aerial refuelling tankers, alongside C-17 transport aircraft and an E-3 Sentry early warning aircraft, flying east from US bases across the Atlantic towards the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.
Scale of the deployment
Monitoring reports indicate an even larger US buildup. Within recent hours, observers identified 36 American aircraft heading to the region, including 22 tankers, 13 transport aircraft and one E-3 surveillance platform.
The air movements follow a broader reinforcement that placed more than 50 fighter jets in the region during the past 24 hours, including F-22 Raptors, F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcons. Flights departed from bases in the United States and the United Kingdom, including RAF Lakenheath, stopped in Spain, Greece and Italy, and then continued to allied bases such as Muwaffaq Salti in Jordan, Prince Sultan in Saudi Arabia and Al Udeid in Qatar.
Transport operations have also intensified. Since 15 January, at least 163 C-17 and C-5M flights have delivered air defence equipment, including Patriot and THAAD missile systems, together with additional logistical support.
Analysts now estimate that total American air power in the wider region exceeds 400 fighter aircraft when Israeli forces are included.
Naval forces join the US buildup
Naval deployments are reinforcing the aerial movements. One US aircraft carrier strike group already operates in the Arabian Sea, while a second carrier – the world’s largest warship – is sailing towards the region and is expected to arrive in about three weeks.
The US buildup is unfolding amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran during indirect negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme in Geneva. US President Donald Trump has said the talks could succeed, but analysts view the military mobilisation as pressure on Iran or preparation for possible escalation.
Also read: Iran and US begin new nuclear talks in Geneva
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