The U.S. Military Assembles in the Middle East, Displaying a Combat Posture; Iranian President States Will Not Yield to Bullying and Coercion

The USS Ford aircraft carrier has entered the Mediterranean, with stealth fighters deployed in Jordan. The U.S. military has conducted its largest troop buildup in the Middle East in recent times, displaying a combat posture.

Satellite images from February 20 show that the U.S. has deployed over 60 military aircraft at the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, three times the normal deployment number, including F-35A stealth fighters.

The U.S. military presence in the Middle East has far exceeded that of Operation Midnight Hammer

On February 20, the USS Ford aircraft carrier and one escort destroyer were spotted near the Strait of Gibraltar. Reports indicate that the USS Ford has entered the Mediterranean. Analysts point out that the entry of the USS Ford into the Mediterranean, in conjunction with the previously deployed USS Lincoln in the Middle East, creates a pincer movement. Additionally, the U.S. military has sent more stealth fighters, F-15 fighter jets, helicopters, and drones to Jordan.

Military commentator Wei Dongxu believes that this is the largest troop buildup by the U.S. military in the Middle East in recent times, with clear intentions of pressure and deterrence.

The U.S. Air Force F-35A stationed at overseas bases and the U.S. Navy F-35C on aircraft carriers possess the capability for covert strikes, which can be used to disrupt the opponent's air defense early warning systems, attack high-value targets, and hunt missile launchers. Other non-stealth aircraft, such as the F-15, F-16, and Super Hornet carrier-based aircraft, can carry more and larger guided munitions to execute extensive and sustained bombing missions.

The New York Times reported that hundreds of U.S. soldiers have been evacuated from the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and several bases of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. Based on the current scale of the assembled forces and troop movements, the U.S. military has entered a state of readiness in the Middle East. If all U.S. forces currently gathered in the Middle East and its surrounding areas participate in the same military operation, the scale and intensity will exceed last year's Operation Midnight Hammer, potentially triggering severe regional turmoil.

Senior researcher Catherine Thompson from the Cato Institute stated that this appears to be preparation for a more prolonged conflict.

Military deterrence negatively impacts negotiations

Recently, U.S. President Trump stated that he is considering a "limited initial military strike" against Iran to compel Iran to accept U.S. demands regarding the nuclear agreement. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stated on February 21 that despite the enemy creating various problems and causing harm to Iran, the Iranian people will never succumb to the enemy's bullying and coercion.

Military commentator Wei Dongxu believes that against the backdrop of ongoing indirect negotiations between Iran and the U.S., the large-scale deployment of offensive military forces by the U.S. in the Middle East will inevitably have a negative impact on the negotiations and raise doubts about its sincerity. Whether it is a limited strike or a large-scale exchange of long-range firepower, it will plunge the Middle East into a greater crisis. Seeking a crisis resolution through negotiations is the optimal solution for maintaining regional peace and stability.

Commentator | Wei Dongxu