Washington: America has significantly increased its military strength in the Middle East. Increasingly than 50 fighter jets have been sent there in the last 24 hours, while new diplomatic talks are moreover going on in Geneva on the nuclear program with Iran. Both these things are happening simultaneously—on one hand America is showing strength, on the other hand it is finding a way out through negotiations.
Why did America send so many jets?
American officials have described this as a unconfined strength of air and naval assets. Axios was the first to report, where a US official confirmed that increasingly than 50 fighter jets moved into the region in the last 24 hours. Flight tracking data and military monitors showed that wide jets such as the F-22, F-35 and F-16 were leaving, withal with well-ventilated refueling tankers – meaning these jets are ready for long operations.
BREAKING:
Multiple reports say the USS Gerald R. Ford has been officially deployed to the Middle East.
However, the deployment has not yet been independently confirmed.
Yesterday, the U.S. watercraft carrier entered the Strait of Gibraltar.pic.twitter.com/9JYMavoILr https://t.co/pmG8z9yGfu
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 17, 2026Which jets are going and where?
Reports mention F-22 (stealth fighter), F-35 (advanced multi-role) and F-16 (multi-purpose). These jets are flying from US bases and reaching the Middle East via Europe. Many C-17 transport planes were moreover seen in movement. All of them are going to US bases near Iran like Jordan, Qatar and Gulf areas.
Are any career groups moreover going?
The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is out of the Caribbean, in the Mid-Atlantic and headed to the Middle East. Navy officials told AP that it is with three guided-missile destroyers (USS Mahan, Bainbridge and Winston Churchill). Currently it is passing through the Strait of Gibraltar, so it may take increasingly than a week to reach Iran. With USS Abraham Lincoln and her group once deployed to the region, there will now be two carriers – quite a large force.
BREAKING:
Over 50 U.S. fighter jets, including F-35s, F-22s, and F-16s, have been sent to the Middle East within 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/2GsoPaYBWj
— Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) February 17, 2026How are nuclear talks going with Iran?
Amidst all this, the second round of indirect talks took place in Geneva. US and Iranian officials kept Cash's optimistic tone. The US side said that "progress has been made, but many details remain to be discussed." Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Iranian TV that the discussions were "serious, constructive and positive". There has been a unstipulated understanding on "guiding principles" from both sides. Iran will bring increasingly detailed proposals in two weeks. The Omani Foreign Minister (Mediator) moreover spoke of "good progress."
All this shows that on one hand America is increasing military pressure, and on the other hand it is looking for a solution through diplomacy. The Trump Administration is pressuring Iran for a nuclear deal, but there is some hope in the talks. Tension is upper in the Middle East, but the path to dialogue is still open.
