The United States has significantly intensified its military presence around Iran, effectively surrounding the country from air, sea, and land. According to American media reports, dozens of US military transport aircraft, including C‑17 Globemaster III and C‑5 Galaxy, are continuously landing at multiple military bases across the Middle East, delivering large quantities of weapons and strategic equipment.
The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group has already reached the region and is currently positioned in the Northern Arabian Sea. The carrier is accompanied by three guided‑missile destroyers and a full carrier air wing comprising F/A‑18E Super Hornet, F‑35C Lightning II stealth fighter jets, and EA‑18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft.
In addition, three US Navy destroyers—USS Delbert D. Black, USS McFaul, and USS Mitscher—are operating independently in the region, further strengthening the naval blockade.
Hormuz Strait Under Close Watch
According to CNN, the US Navy has also readied three Littoral Combat Ships deployed in Bahrain—USS Santa Barbara, USS Canberra, and USS Tulsa—for potential mine‑sweeping operations. Intelligence assessments suggest that Iran may have planted naval mines in key maritime routes, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints. USS Tulsa is expected to play a key role in detecting and neutralizing these threats.
Advanced Air Defense Systems Deployed
The US has also deployed additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems and Patriot missile defense systems in the Middle East. Satellite images captured by Planet Labs on January 25 confirmed the presence of these systems at Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar.
Military analysts believe these deployments are aimed at countering a possible Iranian ballistic missile retaliation targeting US bases in the region.
US President Donald Trump warned that if Iran refuses to comply with American conditions, “the next US strike will be far worse.”
Preparations for a Potential Strike on Iran
The USS Abraham Lincoln is capable of launching air strikes on Iran directly from the Northern Arabian Sea. Alongside the carrier, guided‑missile destroyers in the region are armed with Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles, each with a range of over 1,000 miles and a 1,000‑pound conventional warhead. Defense experts believe any initial US strike would rely heavily on Tomahawk missiles.
Carrier strike groups typically operate alongside attack submarines, although the US Navy does not disclose their presence. Notably, the US operates four Ohio‑class guided‑missile submarines, each capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk missiles.
Continuous Air and Intelligence Operations
US drones and reconnaissance aircraft are conducting near‑constant surveillance over the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Flights are being launched from bases in Qatar, Bahrain, and even from locations outside the Middle East. RC‑135 reconnaissance aircraft, capable of detecting nuclear radiation, are also operating in the region.
Meanwhile, at least eight aerial refueling tankers crossed the Atlantic on Thursday and landed at Morón Air Base in southern Spain, indicating preparations for extended fighter and electronic warfare missions.
Heavy Military Buildup Continues
CNN further reported the arrival of a rare E‑11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) aircraft at Al Udeid Air Base. Originally a business jet, the E‑11A has been converted into a high‑altitude communications relay platform essential for coordinating complex military operations.
Additionally, a squadron of F‑15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, armed with precision‑guided bombs and air‑to‑surface missiles, has been deployed as part of a planned force rotation.
Background of Previous Strikes
In June 2025, seven B‑2 Spirit stealth bombers flew a 37‑hour mission from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, striking three major Iranian nuclear facilities with more than a dozen bombs. A guided‑missile submarine was also reportedly involved in those operations.
With mounting deployments across airspace, seas, and military bases, the United States appears fully prepared for a large‑scale confrontation, as tensions with Iran continue to escalate sharply.
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