N. Prabhakaran Dubai: Signaling a potential military action against Iran, the United States has begun deploying F-22 stealth fighter jets to...
N. Prabhakaran
Dubai: Signaling a potential military action against Iran, the United States has begun deploying F-22 stealth fighter jets to the Middle East. Twelve F-22 stealth aircraft, which had been stationed at a British airbase for several days, are now being moved to the region.
According to flight tracking data and aviation observers, the deployment is underway. Reports indicate that the F-22s taking off from the Royal Air Force base at Lakenheath, England, are connecting with KC-46 Pegasus aerial refuelers to make the journey to the Middle East. These fighters arrived at Lakenheath last week but were delayed for several days due to technical issues with the refueling aircraft.
This move comes as U.S. President Donald Trump considers military options against Iran, further strengthening the U.S. military presence in the region. According to monitoring by the Military Air Tracking Alliance, dozens of fighter jets—including F-35s, F-22s, F-15s, and F-16s—have been spotted moving toward the Middle East. Observers note that hundreds of cargo and refueling planes have been arriving in the region since mid-February.
"President Donald Trump's first priority is always diplomatic negotiations," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters in Washington. "However, he has proven that he is prepared to use the lethal power of the U.S. military if necessary."
She clarified that the final decision regarding actions against Iran rests with Trump: "In recent days, I have seen many completely false reports in the media. Those who use anonymous sources to speculate on Trump's thoughts or decisions have no knowledge of the reality."
Leavitt added that the President has not yet decided whether to strike a deal with Iran, launch a weeks-long war to topple the regime, or conduct a limited strike to pressure Tehran into an agreement favorable to him.
A widely discussed possibility leaked to the media is that Trump is seeking a "middle-ground" solution. This involves the likelihood of a small, limited attack on Iran. The goal would be to inflict significant damage on the regime to force them into better diplomatic terms regarding the nuclear issue or ballistic missiles, while avoiding a massive, uncertain war that could result in the loss of American lives.
The Wall Street Journal reports that top defense officials, including General Dan Kane, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, have warned Trump about the consequences of an all-out war.
Consequences of Total War
Officials have briefed Trump on concerns regarding the lives of U.S. service members, naval and land assets, and the economic fallout from a disrupted global oil market. They also warned of the political backlash if a war aimed at ousting the Iranian regime failed to achieve its objective.
These reports do not necessarily mean that Trump will not reach a deal or order a major strike. It is possible that Trump enjoys these varied speculations as a means to keep Iran off-balance. The Trump administration's delay in making a final decision since December 28 is attributed not only to pressure from Turkey and Qatar and threats from Iran but also to the concerns raised by his own military officials.
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