US Air Force assets stationed in the UK, including tankers and fighters, are being moved closer to the region, sources cited by CNN said. The Americans are also to transfer further air defense systems to the Near and Middle East, and several units deployed in the region, which were to be rotated in the coming weeks, have been ordered to stay in place longer.
In recent weeks, American military planes have also transported equipment from the USA to Jordan, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia – CNN calculated.
Why is the US increasing its presence in the Middle East?
What US units have been moved closer to Iran?
When are US-Iran talks scheduled in Geneva?
What targets could potentially be attacked by the US military in Iran?
Lots of fighters on Friday night received permission to enter Jordanian airspace. CNN reported, citing satellite photos, that since January 25, 12 American F-15 fighter planes have been stationed at the Jordanian Muwaffaq Salti air base. It is already American in the region USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group, and USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike group is on its way to the Middle East.
Thanks to the accumulation of such forces the US military will have many options to attack Iran, if such an order is issued by US President Donald Trump. In addition to nuclear installations, the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other military facilities may be a potential target of attacks, CNN reported, citing multiple sources. According to the station's interlocutors Israel and the US are discussing joint operations.
More talks between the US and Iran are approaching
Washington and Tehran resumed talks on the nuclear deal at the beginning of the month. They are taking place via Oman, and after the first round of negotiations, which took place in Muscat on February 6, both sides assured their readiness to continue them. The next round of talks is scheduled to take place on Tuesday in Geneva.
The US president in recent weeks repeatedly threatened Iran with intervention, including a military attack. Tehran announced that in the event of aggression it would respond by attacking American military installations in the region.
On Friday, Reuters wrote, citing two US officials, that: The US armed forces are preparing to conduct a long-term, multi-week operation against Iran in case Trump gives such an order.
Iranian media reported on Monday that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy began maneuvers in the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea and is of strategic importance for global oil and gas trade.
