The U.S. Navy repositioned fighter aircraft to Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in late January, a move coinciding with stalled negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, according to flight-tracking data and U.S. Officials.
The deployment of a dozen F-15 attack planes, first reported by CNN, is part of a broader military buildup in the Middle East that includes the presence of two aircraft carrier strike groups – the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS Gerald R. Ford – and increased air defense systems. Multiple sources familiar with the matter have stated the military movements are intended to both pressure Tehran during negotiations and prepare for potential military options should talks fail.
Talks between Iranian and American officials took place in Geneva on Tuesday, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating an agreement was reached on “guiding principles” for future discussions, and plans to exchange drafts for a potential agreement. However, the continued military buildup suggests a lack of confidence in the diplomatic process.
The U.S. Military has also extended the deployment orders of several units in the region that were previously scheduled to rotate out, and dozens of cargo planes have transported equipment to Jordan, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia in recent weeks. US Air Force assets based in the United Kingdom, including refueling tankers and fighter jets, are also being moved closer to the Middle East.
Arab allies have urged restraint from both the United States and Iran as tensions mount. The Associated Press reported that these allies are increasingly concerned about the potential for escalation.
From Tehran’s perspective, U.S. Demands in negotiations are viewed as a demand for capitulation, according to BBC News. This stance, coupled with the escalating military pressure, raises the possibility of confrontation.
A recent poll conducted by POLITICO-Public First indicates that major U.S. Allies, including Germany and France, view the United States as increasingly unreliable and destabilizing. This perception of diminished U.S. Trustworthiness adds another layer of complexity to the situation, as Washington seeks to maintain regional stability and pressure Iran.
Iran’s atomic energy chief Mohammad Eslami stated Thursday that no country can deprive the Islamic Republic of its right to nuclear technology, according to the Hindustan Times.
Further talks are planned, with both sides intending to exchange drafts for a potential agreement, but the U.S. Military posture remains unchanged.
