The largest US deployment in 20 years: aircraft carriers, F-35s, and THAAD near Iran’s borders

The United States has concentrated the largest military group in the Middle East since the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

According to Donald Trump’s statements after two rounds of fruitless negotiations, Iran has 10–15 days to reach an agreement on the nuclear program. Otherwise, a transition to a forceful scenario is possible.

The deployed forces indicate readiness for a large-scale operation — with the use of the latest weapons, missile defense, and strategic aviation.

Aircraft carriers and fifth-generation aviation: a show of force

“Gerald Ford” and “Abraham Lincoln”

The aircraft carrier strike group led by USS Gerald R. Ford passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and is moving through the Mediterranean Sea.

The ship was commissioned in 2017 and is considered the most modern aircraft carrier in the US Navy. It can carry up to 90 aircraft and helicopters, including fifth-generation fighters and electronic warfare aircraft.

Simultaneously, a strike group led by USS Abraham Lincoln is already operating in the Arabian Sea. According to analysts, it covers the southern direction, providing pressure on Iran from two maritime fronts.

The potential deployment zone for “Gerald Ford” is the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, near the Israeli coast. This creates operational depth for air strikes and simultaneous protection of allies.

F-35 and aviation redeployment

The US has concentrated a significant group of F-35s in the region.

According to open sources, 18 fighters are stationed at an airbase in Jordan. Additional aircraft are on board the aircraft carriers.

F-35s are capable of hitting air targets — aircraft, cruise missiles, drones — and delivering precision strikes on ground targets, including mobile launchers.

Axios reports that about 50 American aircraft of various types were redeployed to the Middle East in just one day.

Israel used its own F-35s during the 12-day war with Iran in June 2025, demonstrating their effectiveness against air defense systems and infrastructure targets.

Flying headquarters, “ballistic killers” and strategic aviation

AWACS and electronic warfare

E-3G AWACS long-range radar detection aircraft have been redeployed from a base in Germany to Saudi Arabia.

These platforms can detect targets at a distance of up to 400 km and perform the functions of a combat control center.

Six EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft are stationed in Jordan, designed to suppress radars and air defense systems.

Together, this creates a networked control system that allows coordinating the actions of aviation, the fleet, and missile defense.

Patriot, THAAD, and transport activity

In two days, more than 30 flights of heavy US transport aircraft were recorded on routes to the Middle East.

Most flights were carried out from Texas — from airfields of air defense units equipped with Patriot systems and THAAD missile defense complexes.

THAAD is considered one of the most effective means of intercepting medium-range ballistic missiles — and ballistic missiles form the basis of Iran’s missile potential.

In combination with Israeli missile defense systems, this architecture forms a multi-layered defense.

Stealth bombers B-2

According to The New York Times, B-2 Spirit strategic bombers have been put on high combat readiness.

These aircraft were already used against Iran’s nuclear facilities in June 2025. At that time, they flew from the US and returned back, undergoing several in-flight refuelings with KC-135 tankers.

B-2s are capable of carrying heavy bunker-busting munitions designed to hit protected underground targets.

Scale and limits of readiness

The military group pulled to Iran’s borders significantly exceeds the forces deployed during the 12-day war in 2025.

According to experts, this is the largest concentration of American ships and aircraft in the region in more than two decades.

However, maintaining such a group in a state of full combat readiness is a costly and time-limited process.

Logistics, maintenance, crew rotation, and political risks create pressure on strategic planning.

In this context, Nikk.Agency — Israel News | Nikk.Agency notes: the current concentration of forces looks like a tool of coercion to negotiations, but under certain conditions can quickly transform into an operational phase.

Geopolitical conclusion

The ultimatum period of 10–15 days, voiced by Trump, increases tension.

On one hand — a show of force, including aircraft carriers, F-35s, AWACS, THAAD, and B-2s.

On the other — an attempt to force Tehran to compromise on the nuclear program.

The question is not only about the US’s readiness for war but also about the ability to maintain such a large group without transitioning to active actions.

The Middle East has once again found itself at a point where military preparations become part of the diplomatic toolkit.