The US military escalation in the Middle East continues, even after signs of rhetorical retreat from US President Donald Trump regarding the possibility of a direct attack on Iran. In recent hours, Washington has intensified its air presence in the region, while Tehran maintains its highest level of alert and again warns of possible retaliation in case of aggression, reports the Folha de São Paulo.
At least 12 F-15E fighter jets arrived in Jordan between Sunday (18) and Monday (19). The aircraft, considered central in frontal attack operations, departed from the British base of Lakenheath and landed at Muwaffaq Air Base, one of the main US military installations in the Middle East.
The deployment did not occur in isolation. Along with the fighters, the United States sent at least four KC-135 tanker aircraft, essential for long-range missions, as well as three C-17 strategic cargo planes. The F-15Es have capacity to carry up to 10.4 tons of armament and are part of a contingent estimated at about 35 units already positioned in the region, not counting fleets operated by allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia.
From the Iranian side, the tone remains tough. The government reiterated that any targeted action, including a possible attack against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, will be interpreted as an act of war. According to Tehran, such an offensive would result in direct retaliation against the United States.
The military escalation occurs despite Donald Trump recently stating that he was informed that Iran was “stopping the deaths”, referring to the repression carried out by the Islamic regime against protests that began at the end of 2025. Official Iranian numbers indicate about 5,000 deaths, while human rights organizations abroad estimate higher numbers.
Last week, Trump even signaled that he might act if the deaths continued, which raised expectations of military action. On Wednesday (14), however, the US president publicly downplayed that possibility. Still, the repositioning of forces indicates that Washington seeks to keep all options open.
One of the key factors is naval presence. Until then, the United States did not maintain carrier groups near the Middle East, which limits firepower and protection of regional bases. After Trump’s statements, two such groups began moving to strategic areas. The USS Abraham Lincoln advanced from the South China Sea, crossing the Malacca Strait, with arrival expected in the region by Sunday (25). The group led by the USS George HW Bush, currently in the North Atlantic, may head to the Mediterranean and position near the Israeli coast, according to reports not yet officially confirmed.
The pressure from allies also weighs in American calculations. Arab Gulf countries, historic rivals of Tehran, show concern about the impact of a conflict on oil and gas flows. Israel, in turn, would have requested the postponement of any military action. Israeli analysts point out that the request is linked to the low stock of high-altitude interceptor missiles from the Arrow system, essential for neutralizing ballistic missiles.
These missiles were crucial in intercepting approximately 800 Iranian projectiles during the 2025 war and the targeted attacks of 2024, the first direct confrontations between Iran and Israel. Even with the estimated destruction of half of Iran’s launch capacity, experts believe that the remaining arsenal could still cause significant damage.
While the political decision remains undefined, military movements continue. Reinforcements are also being sent to Diego Garcia Island, in the Indian Ocean, considered strategic for long-range attacks out of reach of Iranian retaliation. Last weekend, at least six C-17 cargo planes landed at the base. In 2025, stealth B-2 bombers had already been deployed to the island before attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The current scenario indicates that, regardless of an immediate decision, US forces continue to position themselves as if a confrontation were a real possibility, maintaining high tension in one of the planet’s most sensitive regions.
Source: brasil247.com