By Emmanuel Bobby
The U.S. Defense Department is sending additional military assets to the Middle East, including warships, air defenses and submarines, as preparations intensify for a possible military strike on Iran if President Donald Trump orders one, according to U.S. officials and public tracking data.
The military buildup comes even as diplomatic talks continue. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there had been “good progress” in indirect negotiations in Geneva, while the White House acknowledged some progress but said major issues remain unresolved. The Trump administration has demanded limits on Iran’s missile and nuclear programs, conditions Tehran has rejected.
Trump’s top national security advisers met in the White House Situation Room on Wednesday to discuss Iran, with officials saying no final decision on military action has been made. Forces needed for potential operations are expected to be in place by mid-March.
The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is moving into the Mediterranean Sea and will soon join the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group in the Persian Gulf. Additional naval forces, including guided-missile destroyers and littoral combat ships, are already deployed, and a nuclear submarine remains in the region.
Iran has repeatedly warned it would block the Strait of Hormuz—a critical route for roughly 20% of global oil shipments—if attacked. Iranian state media reported temporary closures of parts of the strait this week during military drills by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The U.S. naval presence allows Washington to strike Iran without relying on aircraft based in Gulf states, whose governments have refused to permit offensive operations from their territory due to fear of Iranian retaliation. It remains unclear whether any potential strike would be conducted solely by the U.S. or in coordination with Israel.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Israel on Feb. 28 to brief Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the negotiations. Israel has long opposed Iran nuclear deals and has pushed for strikes on Iran’s missile infrastructure.
Trump previously ordered airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June, marking the first U.S. strikes on Iranian territory. Officials say a future campaign could be broader and longer, depending on Trump’s objectives. Options range from limited strikes on nuclear and missile facilities to actions aimed at weakening or toppling Iran’s leadership.
Potential targets could include air defense systems, missile depots, drone facilities, and Revolutionary Guard bases. Strikes on nuclear facilities could also include the underground Pickaxe Mountain site near Natanz, which experts say has seen renewed construction activity.
Some analysts believe a campaign aimed at regime change would require more military assets than currently deployed. Others warn that Trump’s decision on Iran could significantly affect U.S. global credibility, particularly after his past promises to Iranian protesters.
The White House says Trump continues to prioritize diplomacy but is keeping military options on the table, urging Tehran to reach an agreement.
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