U.S. Amassing ‘Armada’ Near Iran, New Locations Offer Clues
The United States has significantly expanded its military footprint near Iran in recent weeks, as President Donald J. Trump weighs potential military options against the regime in Tehran.
President Trump has described the growing deployment as an “armada,” underscoring the scale of the buildup. While administration officials have not publicly outlined specific operational objectives, the show of force is unmistakable. According to The New York Times, the deployments represent one of the most substantial increases in American military power in the region in recent years.
At the center of the expansion is the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by three guided-missile destroyers armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles. These vessels were previously utilized in strikes against two Iranian nuclear facilities last June, when the United States joined Israel in coordinated action targeting Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure.
The carrier strike group is fortified with advanced air defense systems designed to shield it from missile threats. Onboard aircraft include F-35 stealth fighters and F/A-18 attack jets — both capable of operating within striking distance of numerous strategic targets inside Iran.
“In a major increase of firepower, the U.S. recently ordered a second aircraft carrier strike group to the region. This includes the Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford, and three of its accompanying destroyers. The Ford’s warplanes were used in the Jan. 3 attack on Venezuela that captured President Nicolás Maduro,” The Times reported.
A second destroyer has also been deployed to the Northern Arabian Sea, with another en route, bringing the total number of U.S. destroyers in the broader theater to 13, according to a Navy official.
Meanwhile, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base has emerged as a key operational hub. Between mid-January and mid-February, at least two waves of American attack aircraft arrived there, increasing the total stationed at the base to more than 60.
Four electronic warfare jets — designed to jam enemy radar and communications — were deployed to Jordan at the end of January. Satellite imagery from January 30 showed at least five MQ-9 Reaper drones positioned at the base, The Times reported.
On February 24, the U.S. sent 11 F-22 stealth fighter jets to Ovda Air Base in southern Israel. Flight tracking data and satellite analysis suggest that additional refueling aircraft and reconnaissance planes equipped with advanced surveillance systems are also moving into the region. Dozens of tanker and cargo aircraft have reportedly repositioned from the United States to European bases to sustain Middle East operations.
“And the Pentagon has dispatched more Patriot and THAAD air defenses to the region to help protect troops there from retaliatory strikes by Iranian short- and medium-range missiles. There are about 30,000 to 40,000 U.S. troops in the region,” said The Times.
Long-range bombers based in the United States — capable of striking targets deep inside Iran — have been placed on heightened alert. The Pentagon reportedly elevated the readiness level in January after President Trump requested military options in response to Tehran’s violent crackdown on domestic protests.
In parallel, several special operations, surveillance, and refueling aircraft have been deployed to the Diego Garcia installation in the Indian Ocean, a forward staging ground for B-2 stealth bombers and other long-range strike capabilities.
On Capitol Hill, Democrats voiced concern over the rapid escalation. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on President Trump to clarify his objectives amid the intensifying pressure campaign.
The request came after a classified briefing for senior congressional leaders, during which Cabinet officials provided updates on the evolving situation.
“It’s very serious and the president has an obligation to make his goals public,” Schumer told Jewish Insider after the briefing.
For Republicans and many national security hawks, however, the buildup signals a restoration of deterrence after years of what they argue was inconsistent enforcement against hostile regimes. With tens of thousands of U.S. troops stationed across the region, the stakes are undeniably high.
Whether this unprecedented show of force leads to direct confrontation or compels Tehran back to the negotiating table remains to be seen. What is clear is that under President Trump’s second term, the message to adversaries is unmistakable: American resolve is back — and it is heavily armed.