New Delhi, Feb 11: Fresh satellite imagery has exposed a significant US military buildup encircling Iran, featuring Patriot missile batteries, Stratotankers, C-17 transports, F-15E fighters, and over a dozen warships positioned strategically across Jordan, Qatar, Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz.
The deployments at bases like Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan and Al Udeid in Qatar include fighter jets, refueling tankers, missile defenses, and naval assets like guided-missile destroyers USS McFaul and USS Mitscher—echoing configurations from last year’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Amid US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman, analysts interpret the escalation as President Trump’s “armada” signaling leverage: 30,000-40,000 troops, drones, helicopters, and carrier strike groups ready for rapid response, while defending against anticipated Iranian missile/drone retaliation.
The moves follow heightened tensions, with Iran deploying drone carriers nearby. Though not matching full 2025 war footing, the positioning establishes credible strike options as Washington pressures Tehran on its nuclear program and regional proxies. Chinese media highlighted the transparency, turning bases into open-source intelligence amid Trump’s deal-making brinkmanship.
