US Build-Up of Warships and Fighter Jets Tracked Near Iran

Published: 20 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The United States is dramatically reinforcing its military presence in the Middle East, with warships and advanced fighter jets now tracked in positions near Iran, intensifying tensions amid ongoing diplomatic efforts and nuclear negotiations. Officials in Washington stress that the heightened posture is intended to strengthen deterrence while negotiations continue, but the scale of the deployments has raised global concern over the risk of a broader confrontation.

In what defence analysts are calling the largest US force deployment in the region in decades, multiple aircraft carrier strike groups, warships, and squadrons of advanced combat aircraft have been moved within striking distance of Iran, observers and open-source tracking confirm.

Two carrier strike groups — including the USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS Abraham Lincoln — form the backbone of the naval presence, gathering alongside destroyers and other support vessels in waters stretching from the Arabian Sea to approaches near the Strait of Hormuz. These strike groups carry a full complement of warplanes and air defence systems, giving the Pentagon significant flexibility for both defensive and offensive operations.

Advanced fighter jets such as F-22s and F-35s, as well as aerial refueling tankers and combat support aircraft, are also being reported through flight-tracking platforms and military analyses as flying toward key Middle Eastern bases. The deployment reflects not just maritime power but a deepening aerial presence designed to extend US reach and readiness in a region already on edge.

President Donald Trump has publicly warned Tehran that Iran must agree to a deal — particularly over its nuclear programme — or face heightened consequences. While diplomatic negotiations continue in Geneva and have yielded only partial progress with unresolved gaps, the White House has coupled these talks with clear pressure from the military buildup.

Iran has responded to the United States’ military concentration with its own displays of force. Moscow and Tehran recently conducted joint naval exercises, a signal of cooperation and regional defiance, while Russia called on all parties — including Washington and Tehran — to show restraint amid this escalation.

The buildup near Iran has global repercussions. Oil markets have reacted nervously, given the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global energy supplies, and world leaders are urging caution as the situation evolves. U.S. allies and regional partners have expressed both support for deterrence and concern over a possible miscalculation that could spiral into conflict.

Military experts emphasise that the current posture conveys strength without immediate aggression, and U.S. officials continue to frame the manoeuvres as supportive of diplomacy. However, critics warn that the sheer scale of warships and aircraft concentrated so close to Iran inevitably increases the risk of an incident or accidental clash.

As Iran resists major concessions in nuclear talks and the United States pushes to tighten pressure, the next weeks could prove pivotal: a breakthrough could ease tensions, but a diplomatic stalemate might solidify the military buildup as a permanent posture, with far-reaching implications for regional stability.

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