The United States’ 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 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 American military installations in the Middle East.
The deployment did not occur in isolation. Along with the fighter jets, 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 the capacity to transport up to 10.4 tons of weaponry and are part of an estimated contingent of about 35 units already positioned in the region, not counting the fleets operated by allies such as Israel and Saudi Arabia.
On the Iranian side, the tone remains harsh. The government reiterated that any targeted action, including a potential 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 comes despite Donald Trump recently stating that he had been informed that Iran was “stopping the killing,” referring to the crackdown conducted by the Islamic regime against protests that began in late 2025. Official Iranian figures indicate around 5,000 deaths, while human rights organizations abroad estimate higher numbers.
Last week, Trump even signaled that he could act if the deaths continued, which raised expectations of military action. On Wednesday (14), however, the President of the United States publicly reduced this possibility. Still, the repositioning of forces indicates that Washington seeks to keep all options open.
One of the key factors is the naval presence. Until then, the United States did not maintain aircraft carrier groups near the Middle East, which limits the firepower and protection of regional bases. After Trump’s statements, two of these groups began to move to strategic areas. The USS Abraham Lincoln advanced from the South China Sea, crossing the Strait of Malacca, with an expected arrival 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 itself near the Israeli coast, according to reports not yet officially confirmed.
Pressure from allies also weighs on American calculations. Arab Gulf countries, historical rivals of Tehran, are showing concern about the impact of a conflict on the flow of oil and gas. Israel, in turn, has reportedly requested the postponement of any military action. Israeli analysts point out that the request is linked to the low stockpile of high-altitude interceptor missiles of the Arrow system, essential for neutralizing ballistic projectiles.
These missiles were crucial in intercepting approximately 800 Iranian projectiles during the 2025 war and in 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 undecided, military movements continue. Reinforcements are also being sent to Diego Garcia Island in the Indian Ocean, considered strategic for long-range attacks beyond the reach of Iranian retaliation. Last weekend, at least six C-17 cargo planes landed at the base. In 2025, B-2 stealth bombers were already deployed to the island before attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The current scenario indicates that, regardless of an immediate decision, United States forces continue to position themselves as if a confrontation were a real possibility, maintaining high tension in one of the most sensitive regions on the planet.
Source: brasil247.com