U.S. Initiates Massive War Exercises in Middle East
US Air Forces Central (AFCENT) declared Tuesday that the "readiness exercise" seeks to showcase accelerated deployment capabilities and sustained combat aircraft operations. Military officials say the maneuvers will test protocols for scattering personnel and warplanes across multiple "contingency locations" while coordinating with unspecified "partner nations."
"This is about upholding our commitment to maintaining combat-ready Airmen and the disciplined execution required to keep airpower available when and where it's needed," AFCENT commander Lieutenant General Derek France said.
The aerial operations accompany substantial naval force projection. US Central Command (CENTCOM) verified that the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, escorted by guided-missile destroyers, arrived in the theater earlier this week.
Washington has simultaneously positioned extra F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, Patriot missile batteries, and THAAD air defense systems throughout the Middle East.
"There's another beautiful armada floating beautifully towards Iran right now," Trump said on Tuesday, adding that he hopes Tehran will "make a deal." The president previously claimed the naval contingent approaching Iran surpasses forces deployed during the Venezuelan operation.
These deployments emerge after weeks of heightened volatility, with Trump reportedly nearing authorization of strikes to "punish" Tehran over its suppression of violent anti-government demonstrations. Though no final determination has been made, an unnamed Gulf official informed Middle East Eye that Washington is considering precision strikes against Iranian officials and military commanders.
Tehran has issued combative warnings against "any miscalculations." Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani stated that Tehran is "fully prepared" for a war, saying a US attack would provoke a "swift and comprehensive" response. The statement echoes previous alerts from Iranian military commanders that their forces have their "finger on the trigger."
The standoff originates from mass anti-government demonstrations in Iran initially sparked by economic deterioration, which officials said left around 3,000 dead. Tehran accuses the US and Israel of inciting and amplifying the unrest to justify military intervention.
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