The United States is assembling its largest concentration of warships and military aircraft in the Middle East in decades as President Donald Trump warns of potential military action against Iran if negotiations over its nuclear program fail. The deployment includes two aircraft carrier strike groups, bringing the naval presence in the region to at least 16 ships, along with thousands of additional service members.

More than 100 fighter jets and large numbers of refueling tankers and cargo aircraft have been moved from bases in the United States and Europe to the Middle East. Additional stealth aircraft have been stationed in Israel, and satellite imagery shows a significant buildup of planes in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Defense officials say the forces are positioned for both offensive strikes and to defend against possible retaliation.

Experts caution that any limited strike on Iran could quickly escalate. Analysts warn that Iran may respond more forcefully than it did after previous attacks on its nuclear facilities, potentially targeting American forces and allies in the region. While the current deployment is substantial, specialists note it does not include a major ground force and remains far smaller than troop levels seen during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.