US Expands Military Presence Near Iran Amid Rising Tensions Ahead of Geneva Talks

Washington: Ahead of scheduled nuclear talks with Iran in Geneva on Tuesday, the United States is significantly increasing its military buildup in the Middle East. The deployment includes naval vessels, fighter jets, and advanced air defense systems.

Reports suggest that the US is positioning these assets as a precaution in case nuclear negotiations fail. According to CNN, sources indicate that US Air Force units based in the United Kingdom are moving refueling tankers and fighter jets closer to the region. Flight tracking data shows that dozens of US military cargo planes have transported equipment from the US to Jordan, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia over the past few weeks.

Satellite imagery analysis revealed that on January 25, 14 US F-15 fighter jets were deployed at Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, while open-source data indicates more than 250 US cargo flights have operated in the region recently. Additionally, air defense systems are being deployed to counter any potential Iranian retaliation.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against Iran in recent weeks. In a recent statement, he suggested that the “best outcome” for Iran could be a regime change, heightening tensions across the Middle East.

However, US officials remain uncertain about the consequences of removing Iran’s leadership. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted during a congressional hearing that no one knows who would assume power if the Islamic regime in Tehran were toppled. Analysts caution that unlike Venezuela, where US intelligence had a clear understanding of the political structure before taking action against Nicolás Maduro, Iran’s succession after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is unpredictable.

Sources suggest that last month’s peak protests in Iran may have represented the most strategic window for action. Questions remain about whether any military intervention now could achieve the objectives that were potentially possible earlier.