00:25The United States has
00:27dramatically escalated its military presence in the Middle East, deploying air and naval
00:33assets in a show of force amid growing tensions with Iran.
00:38As of February 19, 2026, over 500 aircraft, including F-35s, F-15s, F-22s, and F-16s are
00:50now concentrated across key regional bases, making this the largest U.S. air deployment
00:56in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq invasion.
01:01Major hubs include Muwafak Salty Air Base in Jordan, Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia,
01:09Al Udayd in Qatar, and Al Dhafra in the UAE.
01:13These bases host fighter jets, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms,
01:19as well as tanker aircraft for extended operations.
01:23The U.S. Navy has deployed 13 ships, including two carrier strike groups.
01:29The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is positioned in the Arabian Sea, recently
01:36engaging an Iranian drone, while the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group is en route from
01:43the Atlantic, forming a massive naval presence unprecedented in recent months.
01:49Support assets include THAAD and Patriot missile defenses, literal combat ships, nuclear submarines,
01:57and P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, ensuring layered capabilities to counter Iranian air defenses
02:06and missile threats. This military buildup aligns with ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations in Geneva,
02:15which have shown limited progress since the expiration of the SALT treaty earlier this month.
02:20Officials say the deployments are meant as deterrents, signaling that any Iranian nuclear
02:26or missile escalation would meet immediate military response.
02:30Analysts note the scale echoes preparations for last year's U.S.-Israel Operation Midnight Hammer
02:38strikes on Iran, but could now enable sustained operations lasting weeks.
02:44Stealth fighters like the F-35 would lead missions against nuclear sites, missile facilities,
02:51and Revolutionary Guard bases, supported by tankers and electronic warfare aircraft.
02:56Iran has responded with live-fire drills in the Strait of Hormuz, fortifying strategic sites
03:04and deploying long-range missiles. Tehran has threatened to close the strait, disrupting roughly
03:1030 percent of global oil traffic, and conducted joint exercises with Russia and China.
03:17Political and economic risks are significant. A potential strike could provoke oil prices to $150 per barrel,
03:26draw in foreign powers, and result in U.S. casualties in an election year.
03:31Lawmakers have already pushed for votes to restrict presidential war powers.
03:37While the situation is tense, officials maintain that diplomacy remains the goal,
03:42though sources warn that military action could be authorized imminently if Iran fails to halt enrichment
03:49or limit ballistic missile development. The U.S. military buildup marks one of the most consequential
03:56shows of force in the Middle East in decades, with the world watching closely for signs of escalation.
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