While talks continue, and President Trump keeps repeating that Iran wants a deal, the United States is pressing ahead with efforts to reinforce its presence in the region.
At present, we have no confirmation that a second US Navy aircraft carrier has begun moving toward the operational area, but the American force posture has expanded further. As of today, the main hub for a potential strike against Iran is the Jordanian Al Salti base.
This is where the bulk of the land-based strike force is concentrated, and where 24 F-15E STRIKE EAGLE heavy fighter-bombers, 30 F-35A multirole fighters, and 6 EA-18G GROWLER electronic attack aircraft are expected to be redeployed, along with a group of A-10 THUNDERBOLT attack aircraft. The Al Salti base lies outside the range of Iranian short-range ballistic missiles and is strategically positioned at the gateway to the Syrian-Iraqi corridor, a key factor should Saudi Arabia deny overflight rights through its airspace.
More broadly, across the region – including the bases at Al Udeid (Qatar), Prince Sultan (Saudi Arabia), and Ali Al Salem (Kuwait) – there are over 40 tankers, including KC-46A PEGASUS and KC-135 STRATOTANKER aircraft, 6 P-8 POSEIDON MPA/multi-intelligence aircraft, at least one RC-135V RIVET JOINT signals intelligence aircraft, 3 MQ-4C TRITON ISR drones optimized for maritime surveillance, and 3 E-11A BACN aircraft for radio relay, with 2 additional E-3B/C AWACS en route from the United States. This morning, 36 F-16s and 12 F-22s also departed from the United States heading eastward.
To the land-based posture must be added the aircraft carrier LINCOLN – with an air wing composed of FA-18F SUPER HORNET fighters, a detachment of F-35C tactical bombers, 4 E-2D AWACS aircraft, and a group of EA-18G GROWLER electronic attack aircraft – along with its carrier strike group. The naval component should overall include, in addition to the carrier, at least 10 destroyers and 2–3 nuclear-powered submarines, providing the potential to launch several hundred TOMAHAWK cruise missiles.
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