US Deploys Stealth Power: F-22s and F-35s Lead Massive Armada Near Iran Borders
US deploys dozens of F-22 Raptors and F-35 Lightnings to Middle East in major buildup near Iran.
The United States has assembled a significant air and naval force in the Middle East, including advanced fighter jets such as F‑22 Raptors and F‑35 Lightning II aircraft, in a deployment that reflects mounting tensions with Iran and preparations for potential military action, multiple sources report.
According to U.S. and independent aviation trackers, more than 50 fighter jets — including F‑22s, F‑35s and F‑16s — have been moved toward the region in a rapid reinforcement of American air power over the past 24 hours. These movements, confirmed by U.S. officials, form part of the largest buildup of U.S. air assets in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq invasion, with additional support aircraft and aerial refuelling tankers indicating capacity for extended operations.
Accompanying the fighter deployments, two U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups — including the nuclear‑powered USS Gerald R. Ford — along with multiple destroyers and support vessels, are heading toward or already positioned in the region. These assets are designed to provide comprehensive air, sea and missile defence coverage, as well as strategic strike capability should military options be activated.
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The reinforcement coincides with indirect nuclear negotiations between U.S. and Iranian officials held in Geneva, but also follows repeated threats by U.S. leadership over Tehran’s nuclear programme and regional behaviour. While diplomatic channels continue, the military posture signals that Washington is preparing for both negotiation and high readiness for conflict if agreements falter.
From Tehran’s perspective, the buildup has not gone unnoticed: Iran’s military has simultaneously stepped up naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz, demonstrating its own readiness and underscoring how strategic chokepoints could factor in any escalation or response. Iranian authorities have warned they could retaliate strongly to any military strike and disrupt regional oil traffic if pressured.
Strategic analysts say the U.S. deployment aims to deter potential Iranian retaliation while maintaining options for precise military action, should diplomatic efforts fail. The combination of stealth fighters, carrier air wings, and support assets represents a potent deterrent, but also raises concerns about the risk of broader regional conflict should tensions continue to escalate.
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