President Donald Trump weighs military strike on Iran as United States deploys largest fighter jet fleet to the Middle East since the Iraq War

The United States has quietly — and then not so quietly — assembled its largest concentration of fighter jets in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

As President Donald Trump weighs whether to strike Iran, the scale of the buildup alone is turning heads in Washington, Tehran, and across global markets.

According to officials cited by The Wall Street Journal, Trump has been spending “a lot of time thinking about” possible military action. A decision could come within days.

But whatever he chooses, the logistics suggest this would not be a small, symbolic move.

This would be something far bigger — and far more complicated.

Stealth Jets, Tankers, and Eyes in the Sky

In recent days, the Pentagon has deployed advanced aircraft into the region, including F-35s and F-22 Raptors — some of the most sophisticated stealth fighters in the world.

They’re joined by F-15s and F-16s, along with KC-135 refueling aircraft that allow jets to stay airborne for extended missions.

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed multiple KC-135s operating over or near the Middle East, alongside E-3 Sentry early-warning planes and cargo aircraft.

Canadian researcher Steffan Watkins, who tracks military aviation movements, said at least six E-3 surveillance aircraft were repositioned to Saudi Arabia from bases in Japan, Germany, and Hawaii — a rare and telling move.

These early-warning aircraft are crucial for coordinating complex air campaigns.

When they show up in numbers, it’s usually because planners expect a lot of moving pieces in the sky.

Two Aircraft Carriers in the Region

At sea, the buildup is just as striking.

The US currently has 13 warships in the Middle East, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, nine destroyers, and three littoral combat ships.

More reinforcements are coming.

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, is sailing from the Atlantic toward the region, escorted by three destroyers.

It was ordered there earlier this month by Trump.

Having two US carrier strike groups in the Middle East is unusual — and historically significant.

The last comparable posture was during last year’s 12-day conflict, when US forces joined Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

What Is Trump Considering?

Behind closed doors, Trump has reportedly reviewed multiple options.

One plan under discussion would target Iran’s top political and military leadership — a decapitation strategy aimed at forcing regime change.

Another option involves sustained airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, expanding on last year’s bombing campaign that Trump claimed had “obliterated” key facilities.

CNN reports the president has been polling advisers informally, debating with both hawks and skeptics inside his administration.

A national security meeting was held Wednesday with Iran high on the agenda.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz emphasized that a ground invasion is not on the table.

“President Trump is not an isolationist, but he’s also not an interventionist,” Cruz said. “We’re not going to see hundreds of thousands of troops on the ground.”

That reassurance may matter politically — especially with midterm elections looming.

Iran Responds With Signals of Its Own

Tehran isn’t staying quiet.

This week, Iran temporarily shut parts of the Strait of Hormuz for military drills.

Around 20 percent of the world’s oil passes through that narrow waterway.

Even a short disruption rattles global energy markets.

Iranian state media described the closure as a safety measure tied to live-fire exercises.

But the symbolism was clear: if the US strikes, the economic consequences could ripple worldwide.

Iran has harassed shipping in the Strait before, particularly during the 1980s Iran-Iraq War.

But it has not fully closed the channel since that era — not even during last year’s 12-day air war with Israel and the US.

Meanwhile, Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is drafting a framework for future talks with Washington, mediated by Oman.

Vice President JD Vance countered that Iran has not yet accepted key US red lines, including a halt to nuclear development.

Voices Calling for Action — and Restraint

Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi publicly urged Trump to speed up regime change, calling it a humanitarian intervention that would free Iranians from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

On the other side of the aisle, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned that Congress must authorize any war.

The constitutional question is looming. Can Trump act unilaterally? Or would lawmakers demand a vote before bombs fall?

Israel’s Role and Diplomatic Maneuvering

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to visit Israel to brief Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on negotiations.

Netanyahu has insisted that any deal must not only curb Iran’s nuclear program but also neutralize its ballistic missile capabilities and cut funding to proxy groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

The US and Iran resumed indirect talks after tensions spiked over Tehran’s crackdown on protesters.

A previous round collapsed last year when Israel launched surprise strikes that triggered a 12-day conflict.

Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly struggled to gain traction in recent discussions.

Syria Withdrawal Adds Another Twist

Complicating the picture further, the US is preparing to withdraw its remaining troops from Syria.

A senior White House official told the BBC that Syria’s government will assume responsibility for counterterrorism operations there.

Pulling out of Syria while building up forces around Iran sends mixed signals — de-escalation in one theater, escalation in another.

Regional Fears of a Wider War

Regional powers like Turkey and Saudi Arabia have reportedly urged restraint, warning that a strike on Iran could ignite a broader regional conflict.

Iran’s leadership, including Ayatollah Khamenei, has issued defiant messages threatening retaliation against US service members if attacked.

The memory of the 2003 Iraq War still looms large.

A new war in the region would carry enormous geopolitical and economic consequences — not to mention domestic political risks for Trump as Republicans fight to maintain control of Congress.

What’s Next?

All eyes are on the White House.

If Trump opts for military action, it would likely begin with air and naval strikes rather than boots on the ground.

The scale of aircraft, tankers, early-warning planes, and carrier groups already in place suggests planners are preparing for sustained operations, not a one-night show of force.

But negotiations are still technically alive. Oman continues mediating indirect talks.

Rubio’s trip to Israel could shape the next diplomatic move.

Oil markets are watching the Strait of Hormuz closely.

A decision could come within days.

Or Trump could delay, leveraging the buildup as pressure in negotiations.

Either way, the region is holding its breath.

Summary

The United States has assembled its largest Middle East air and naval presence since the Iraq War as President Trump considers military action against Iran.

Advanced stealth fighters, refueling aircraft, surveillance planes, and two aircraft carriers are moving into position.

Trump is weighing options ranging from targeted leadership strikes to sustained attacks on nuclear facilities, while Iran signals potential economic retaliation by staging drills near the Strait of Hormuz.

Diplomatic talks continue but remain fragile, and regional allies fear escalation.

A decision from the White House could reshape the Middle East — and Trump’s presidency — in profound ways.