The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that the United States has deployed special forces from bases in the US to the Middle East over the past week, placed fighter squadrons across the region, and put bombers based in the US and Britain on high alert, in preparation for a possible escalation of the fighting with Iran, according to flight tracking data and American sources cited by the report.
The Wall Street Journal reported early Thursday that the Pentagon has expanded its military preparations for a potential escalation with Iran, deploying special forces from US bases to the Middle East over the past week and placing both fighter squadrons and bomber aircraft on higher alert.
The report follows a separate Wall Street Journal report just minutes earlier, at 01:53 Jerusalem time, which stated that the US was deploying medical teams and combat equipment to the region. Together, the two reports indicate a broad and accelerating US force buildup, with a focus on both logistical support and offensive strike capability.
The US has been steadily reinforcing its military posture in the Middle East over recent weeks, as The Zioneer has previously reported. These movements have included the deployment of roughly 100 aerial refueling aircraft to Israel, the transfer of F-35s and F-15s to the region, and the positioning of US naval assets. The new report, citing flight tracking data and anonymous American officials, suggests that the preparations are now entering a more advanced phase, with special ground forces and strategic bombers brought into the picture.
The Zioneer's earlier coverage of the ongoing US buildup is available in the intelligence desk archive.
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