ISLAMABAD, Jun 20 (Alliance News): In response to the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, the United States has significantly increased its military presence across the Middle East, deploying additional warships, fighter jets, and personnel to key strategic locations.
The Pentagon has moved two destroyers — USS Sullivans and USS Thomas Hudner — into the Eastern Mediterranean to support Israel’s defence, while the Arleigh Burke destroyer has exited the region. These vessels are playing a vital role in intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles.
Twelve F-16 fighter jets have been redeployed from Italy to Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, and advanced aircraft such as F-22 Raptors and F-35s have also been positioned at US installations across the region.
An additional 21 refueling and fighter aircraft have been placed in strategic areas in Europe including England, Germany, Spain, and Greece — a movement some experts described as “highly unusual.”
The USS Carl Vinson, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier accompanied by four warships, is currently stationed in the Arabian Sea, while the USS Nimitz is en route to the region from the Indo-Pacific.
Its last known location was the Malacca Strait, heading towards Singapore. The USS Gerald R Ford is also making its way to the European theatre, giving President Donald Trump the option of activating a third carrier strike group if the conflict further escalates.
These aircraft carriers, part of the US Navy’s largest fleet, are armed with advanced fighter jets and supported by guided missile destroyers, providing a formidable presence across regional waters.
Meanwhile, US destroyers are also active in the Red Sea, Western Mediterranean, and Baltic Sea, participating in joint exercises and surveillance missions.
Additionally, the US has bolstered its missile defense posture in the Middle East. Last October, it deployed a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and around 100 troops to Israel.
Several Patriot missile defense systems were also moved into the region, including units from the Indo-Pacific.
The US currently maintains a vast military infrastructure in the Middle East, with 19 bases spread across countries such as Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. Out of these, eight are permanent installations — primarily in Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE.
As of mid-2025, an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 US troops are deployed across the region. These bases serve as crucial nodes for combat operations, logistics, intelligence gathering, and regional power projection.
The increasing military build-up underscores Washington’s strategic commitment to its allies in the region while preparing for the possibility of deeper involvement in the Iran-Israel conflict.
