The US has surged over 120 aircraft, including F-22s, F-35s, and tankers, to the Middle East in the past 48 hours, marking the largest airpower buildup since 2003, while the USS Gerald R. Ford has positioned to create a dual-carrier presence with USS Abraham Lincoln amid President Trump's threats of strikes on Iran over nuclear talks. Hundreds of US troops have been relocated from Qatar bases as precautionary measures. Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley on February 21-22 killed at least 10-12, including Hezbollah operatives, despite ceasefire.
📍 Persian Gulf📍 Lebanon Bekaa Valley📍 Qatar Al Udeid📍 Ukraine Kyiv
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US forces have deployed approximately 120 aircraft, comprising F-22s, F-35s, F-15s, F-16s, tankers, and support assets like E-3 Sentry to bases in the Middle East and Europe transiting to the region, alongside positioning the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to join USS Abraham Lincoln for unprecedented two-carrier capability. Concurrently, hundreds of personnel were relocated from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Israeli Air Force conducted strikes targeting Hezbollah sites in eastern Lebanon and Bekaa Valley, confirming 10-12 fatalities including senior operatives.
This escalation enhances US strike options against Iranian nuclear sites or forces, risking Strait of Hormuz disruptions and oil spikes, with low regional spillover to Iraq or Gulf states so far but heightened Hezbollah retaliation potential amid vows of resistance; Ukraine sees routine Russian missile/drone strikes on Kyiv without frontline shifts.
Likely US limited strikes if nuclear talks fail within days; intelligence gaps persist on Iranian missile readiness and proxy mobilization timelines.
