As tensions between the United States (US) and Iran continue, the Pentagon is reportedly sending “the largest force of US warships and aircraft to the Middle East in decades,” the AP reported.
Does this mean the US will go to war with Iran? What weapons and military assets has the US deployed in the Middle East? Here’s everything you need to know:
List of all military assets that Trump has deployed in the Middle East
Trump said the “larger fleet” is led by the large aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln.
According to the Associated Press, the US Navy has 14 ships in the region — two aircraft carriers, nine destroyers and three littoral combat ships, with more on the way, according to a US official. The USS Gerald R. Ford is currently en route to the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the Military Air Tracking Alliance said it had tracked more than 85 fuel tankers and more than 170 cargo planes heading to the region as of mid-February.
Trump’s military assets in the Middle East now include:
1. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and three guided-missile destroyers have been in the Arabian Sea since late January after being diverted from the South China Sea, the AP reported.
2. The strike group brought roughly 5,700 additional service members to the region to augment a smaller force of several destroyers and three littoral combat ships already in the region.
3. Two weeks later, Trump ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, to head to the region along with three destroyers and more than 5,000 service members.
4. Dozens of fighter jets, including F-35s, F-22s, F-15s and F-16s, left bases in the US and Europe and were spotted heading to the Middle East through the Military Air Tracking Alliance, the AP reported.
5. They reportedly tracked support aircraft, such as six military E-3 early warning aircraft, heading for a base in Saudi Arabia. These aircraft are key to coordinating operations with a large number of aircraft.
6. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles: US Central Command said on social media that the fighter “enhances combat readiness and supports regional security and stability.”
The activity is similar to last year, when the U.S. moved air defense hardware such as the Patriot missile system in anticipation of an Iranian counterattack after it bombed three key nuclear sites in June, the AP reported.
What is the conflict between Iran and the US?
Trump wants Iran to curb its nuclear program. But Iran insists it will be open to negotiations if the US is ready to discuss lifting sanctions.
In addition, Israel is pushing for the talks to include limiting the range of Tehran’s ballistic missiles, but Iran has so far rejected that as a red line.
What is the nuclear deal at the heart of the conflict?? The story so far
In 2015, Iran agreed to a long-term deal on its nuclear program with a group of world powers known as the P5+1 – the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany.
The plan was formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Under the deal, Iran agreed to curb its sensitive nuclear activities and allow international inspectors in in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
As part of the deal, Tehran limited its uranium enrichment to 3.67 percent and its stockpile of enriched uranium to 300 kg (660 pounds).
That was enough for Iran for nuclear power plants, but nowhere near enough for weapons. In exchange, the US lifted most of the previously imposed sanctions on Iran.
However, Trump withdrew from the deal in his first term as president in May 2018 and reimposed sanctions against Tehran. Trump’s successor, Joe Biden, left most of Trump’s sanctions in place.
In May 2025, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warned that Iran had stockpiled more than 400 kg (880 lb) of uranium enriched to 60 percent.
At 60 percent enrichment, uranium is considered ready for weapons development. According to Al Jazeera, no non-nuclear-weapon state is known to maintain uranium enriched to levels as high as 60 percent.
What does the US want now?
Now Trump wants Iran to do “no nuclear weapons“, while Iran says it has no intention of building one.
“I hereby declare once again before this assembly that Iran has never sought and will never seek to produce a nuclear bomb,” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in September 2025.
However, the US requires that:
1. Iran will give up all aspects of its nuclear program
2. Iran must not to make nuclear weapons
3. Iran must not enrich uranium at all
4. Iran must surrender all the enriched uranium it already has and not produce any more
What does Iran want?
Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is civilian in nature, according to reports.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated this week that Iran, as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), will not give up its right to nuclear technology for “peaceful purposes”.
“This inherent right is non-negotiable,” he said at an international conference on disarmament in Geneva, according to the Tehran Times.
Iran therefore wants to continue its nuclear program, albeit with certain limits; and capable of enriching uranium, albeit with certain limits, Al Jazeera reported.
Iran also believes the IAEA report on its enriched uranium last year was designed to give the US and Israel justification for their attacks.
In addition, Iran believes its ballistic missiles offer it much-needed protection against regional threats, especially Israel.
Will the US go to war with Iran?
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that failure to secure a nuclear deal with Iran could result in an attack on Iran.
Last week, Trump threatened Iran with “very traumatic” consequences if it does not sign the nuclear deal. This week at the Peace Council meeting on Thursday, Trump stressed that “bad things happen” if Tehran does not negotiate in good faith – hinting at possible military action.
In addition, Trump said in January that “a massive Armada is headed for Iran. It’s moving fast, with great force, enthusiasm and intent.”
He also reminded Iran of “Operation Midnight Hammer” and threatened that “the next attack will be much worse” unless a “fair deal” is reached.
Trump has now given Iran 10 to 15 days to complete the pact.
Is a US-Iran war likely?
International politics professor David Dunn told FirstPost that the deployment of forces suggests the use of force is likely.
“It’s partly because of the way these two different carrier support groups are deployed. One was deployed for offensive purposes and the other is deployed to Israel to try to defend Israel against any retaliatory trajectory,” Dunn explained.
Meanwhile, CNN and CBS reported on Wednesday that the US military will be ready to launch strikes against Iran as early as this weekend, although Trump has reportedly not yet made a final decision.
In addition, a senior Trump adviser told Axios that there is a “90% chance” of military action against Iran in the next “few weeks” as diplomatic efforts falter.