The United States is significantly boosting its military footprint across the Middle East as the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies. From advanced fighter jets to nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, a wide array of American military assets are now positioned throughout the region.
Last week, the Pentagon directed two destroyers in the Mediterranean to move closer to Israel. This week, the USS Sullivans Destroyer joined the USS Thomas Hudner in the Eastern Mediterranean for ongoing defense missions, while the Arleigh Burke destroyer has departed the area, according to a U.S. official.
In parallel, the U.S. Air Force deployed twelve F-16 fighter jets from Italy to Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. Additional aircraft, including F-35s and F-22 Raptors, have also been repositioned to American bases throughout the Middle East.
The U.S. has also increased aerial refueling capabilities, dispatching 21 refueling aircraft and fighters to strategic locations across Europe—including England, Germany, Spain, and Greece. While it is not confirmed whether these moves are directly tied to the current conflict, experts noted the refueling operations are highly unusual.
American destroyers are actively intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles targeting Israel. Meanwhile, the nuclear-powered USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier remains stationed in the Arabian Sea with four accompanying warships. Another nuclear-powered carrier, the USS Nimitz, is moving westward from the Indo-Pacific toward the Middle East. Its last reported location was in the Malacca Strait, heading toward Singapore earlier this week.
Additionally, the USS Gerald R Ford—the largest aircraft carrier in the world—is on its way to the European theater. With three carrier strike groups now available or en route, President Donald Trump has the strategic option to deploy a third carrier group in the Middle East if required.
Each of these carriers carries a fleet of advanced fighter jets and is supported by guided missile destroyers. The Nimitz-class vessels are the largest in the U.S. Navy, measuring nearly 1,100 feet long.
Elsewhere, U.S. destroyers are deployed in the Red Sea and Western Mediterranean, while others participate in military drills in the Baltic Sea. In previous deployments, the U.S. stationed multiple Patriot air defense systems in the region, including systems relocated from the Indo-Pacific.
In October of last year, a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and around 100 troops were deployed to Israel to bolster missile interception efforts against threats from Iran and allied militias.
Currently, the U.S. maintains at least 19 military bases across the Middle East, with 11 operating as temporary facilities and 8 classified as permanent. These bases are spread across countries including Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.
Permanent installations exist in Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE. As of mid-2025, between 40,000 and 50,000 American troops are stationed in the region, operating from both major installations and forward-deployed sites.
Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia host the largest U.S. troop deployments. These bases play a critical role in regional air and naval operations, intelligence gathering, logistics, and strategic deterrence.
