WP: Over 150 US jets deployed near Iran in largest buildup since 2003

The U.S. military has rapidly increased its presence near Iran, moving more than 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East since a second round of nuclear talks ended without a breakthrough on February 17, according to publicly available flight tracking data and satellite imagery reviewed by The Washington Post.

The buildup is among the largest in over two decades, exceeding pre-Iraq war levels. President Trump has threatened action against Iran unless a nuclear deal is reached, though he has not specified the objectives. Iranian officials said a deal is possible but will take time.

Experts say the deployment surpasses last year’s military buildup before U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear targets and points to a multiday air campaign without a ground invasion.

“The massive level of force amassed means the U.S. military can execute on whatever Trump decides — anything from a sustained, highly kinetic campaign to more targeted, limited strikes,” said Dana Stroul, former deputy assistant secretary of defence for the Middle East.

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the second aircraft carrier in the region, was spotted off Crete, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln near Oman. “Whatever their administration wants to do with Iran, they want to do in a big way, but they want to do fairly quickly with minimal risk of blowback or negative repercussion,” said Gregory Brew, senior Iran analyst at Eurasia Group.

Most of the aircraft, including cargo, refuelling planes, and combat jets such as F-35s, have been staged at European bases, reducing exposure to Iranian missiles while allowing strategic positioning. Dozens of E-3G Sentry early warning aircraft have also been deployed to provide surveillance and target detection.

Satellite imagery shows U.S. jets lined up at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, Lakenheath in the U.K., and Chania Airport in Crete, while both carriers sail with guided missile destroyers carrying Tomahawks.

Mark Cancian, senior adviser at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, noted that “if the administration is planning for an extended, weeks-long air campaign, even more military assets will be needed.”