US repositions troops, aircraft in Middle East as Trump weighs strike on Iran

The United States military has repositioned a number of aircraft and naval vessels from bases across the Middle East, anticipating the possibility of Iranian retaliation amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, two US officials confirmed.

The precautionary measures come as President Donald Trump continues to withhold a definitive response on whether Washington will participate in Israel’s aerial bombardment of Iranian nuclear and missile facilities. The campaign, now in its sixth day, has prompted the evacuation of residents from Tehran and intensified speculation about potential regional escalation, Caliber.Az reports, citing Arab media.

Senior US officials are actively preparing for the possibility of a strike on Iran in the coming days, sources familiar with the discussions said. The report noted that the situation remains fluid, with some sources indicating that any potential military action may occur over the weekend.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House on June 18, President Trump declined to confirm any decision. “I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do,” he said.

In a related development, the US Embassy in Qatar issued a security alert on June 19, temporarily restricting embassy personnel from accessing the Al-Udeid Air Base—America’s largest military installation in the region, located outside Doha. The embassy urged both personnel and US citizens in Qatar to exercise increased vigilance “in an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities.”

The two US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the repositioning of military assets was undertaken as part of broader force protection measures. Specific details regarding the number and destination of the relocated units were not disclosed. However, one official noted that aircraft not housed in hardened shelters were moved from Al-Udeid, while naval vessels were relocated from a port in Bahrain, home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet. “It is not an uncommon practice,” the official said. “Force protection is the priority.”

Israel began its aerial offensive on June 13, asserting that Tehran was nearing the threshold of acquiring a nuclear weapon. Iran, however, has denied any intention of developing nuclear arms. In a warning to Washington, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva stated that Tehran would respond “firmly” should the United States directly intervene in the conflict.

By Vafa Guliyeva