New York: Amid escalated tension between Iran and Israel, the United States has reportedly ramped up its military presence in the Middle East. This a move is being seen as an attempt to shield Israel from Iranian attacks and protecting American forces in the region, reports claimed.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the deployments, the India Today reported. The US official said the movements were made to “ensure that our people are safe.”
According to reports, the Pentagon has sent additional fighter jets, refuelling tankers, and repositioned warships across strategic locations. It has signalled a potential readiness for deeper involvement.
“We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran,” President Donald Trump declared on social media. This led to speculation about possible US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
However, officials emphasized that no American aircraft had entered Iranian airspace as of Tuesday.
Has Trump approved attack on Iran?
President Trump told senior aides late Tuesday that he approved of attack plans for Iran, but was holding off to see if Tehran would abandon its nuclear program, people familiar with the deliberations told Washington Post. Iran’s well-defended Fordow enrichment facility is a possible US target, the report claimed.
The facility is buried under a mountain. It is generally considered by military experts to be out of reach of all but the most powerful bombs.
On being asked if he had decided whether to strike at Iran’s nuclear facilities, Trump said, “I may do it, I may not do it.”
“Anything can happen…hate to see so much death…”
While talking to reporters, Trump also said, “I have a plan for everything, but we will see what happens. They should have made the deal. I had a great deal for them. We talked about it for 60 days, and in the end, they decided not to do it, and now they wish they had. It’s late to meet, but they want to, and they want to come to the White House. I may do that… Anything could happen… I have a meeting in the war room in a while. We are in the midst of something terrible. I hate to see so much death and destruction… I have ideas as to what I could do, but they are not final. I like to finalise one second before it’s due. Things change. Especially with war…”
#WATCH | Washington, DC | On the situation in Iran, US President Donald Trump says, “… I have a plan for everything, but we will see what happens. They should have made the deal. I had a great deal for them. We talked about it for 60 days, and in the end, they decided not to do… pic.twitter.com/EYnHtUr47h
— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2025
Earlier, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said his country wouldn’t surrender. He had also warned any US military intervention would bring ‘irreparable consequences.’
According to reports, the US military has built up forces in the Middle East in recent days. A dozen F-16s have been relocated to Saudi Arabia, and US fighter jets are now patrolling the skies across the region, India Today reported. B-52 bombers at Diego Garcia are ready.
