WASHINGTON: The United States has announced plans to conduct multi-day military air exercises across the Middle East, underscoring its ability to project force in the region amid escalating tensions with Iran.
The drills come as Washington deploys what President Donald Trump has described as a powerful “armada,” led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, into the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility.
The announcement follows heightened rhetoric from the White House, which has indicated that new US strikes against Iran remain a possibility after Tehran’s violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests. Thousands have reportedly been killed, with many more detained under conditions that remain unclear, according to The Guardian.
Air Forces Central, the air component of CENTCOM, said on Tuesday that it would conduct a “multi-day readiness exercise to demonstrate the ability to deploy, disperse and sustain combat airpower across the US Central Command area of responsibility.”
The drills, according to the statement, are designed to enhance the dispersal of assets and personnel, strengthen regional partnerships and prepare forces for flexible response options.
While the Pentagon has not disclosed the dates, locations or full list of assets involved, the exercises are widely seen as a signal of US military readiness as tensions with Iran continue to rise. The drills coincide with the arrival of a major US naval deployment in the region.
CENTCOM confirmed on Monday that the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group had arrived in the Middle East. The aircraft carrier, which carries several dozen fighter jets and is staffed by nearly 5,000 sailors, is accompanied by guided missile destroyers equipped with advanced air-defence systems to protect the strike group.
In addition to naval forces, the US has deployed a squadron of F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets to the region, according to the Washington Post.
These aircraft come from the same unit that participated in US strikes on Iran in April 2024. The United Kingdom has also bolstered its presence, moving Typhoon fighter jets to the region in what British officials have described as a “defensive capacity.”
This marks the first time an aircraft carrier has been stationed in the CENTCOM area since the USS Gerald R. Ford was deployed to the Caribbean in October ahead of a US operation targeting Venezuela’s strongman leader, Nicolás Maduro.
“The carrier is currently deployed to the Middle East to promote regional security and stability,” CENTCOM said in its statement.
President Trump, speaking to Axios earlier this week, emphasized the scale of the deployment, saying the US has a “big armada next to Iran — bigger than Venezuela.”
At the same time, he suggested that Washington remains open to dialogue, claiming that Tehran has reached out repeatedly to negotiate. “They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk,” Trump said.
The president has warned that the US could launch military action if Iran proceeds with mass executions or continues killing demonstrators amid protests that erupted over the sharp devaluation of the Iranian currency in December.
He later appeared to temper those warnings, saying that “the killing has stopped,” and earlier this month said Iran had reversed a reported plan to hang 800 detained protesters.
Despite the softer tone, Trump has made clear that military options remain on the table. As recently as last week, he said strikes could still occur, describing the carrier strike group’s deployment as a precaution. “We have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and maybe we won’t have to use it,” he said.
Human rights groups have reported widely varying death tolls from Iran’s crackdown. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency estimates that nearly 6,000 people have been killed, while the Iranian government has acknowledged just over 3,100 deaths.
Other activists claim the toll could exceed 30,000, though strict censorship and a nationwide internet blackout have made independent verification difficult.
CENTCOM said the upcoming drills would be conducted in partnership with several Middle Eastern nations. It also announced plans to work with Bahrain on a separate defensive exercise focused on counter-drone capabilities, addressing what US officials see as a likely retaliatory threat in the event of a conflict with Iran.
However, the growing US military presence has unsettled some regional allies. The United Arab Emirates’ foreign ministry has stated that it will not allow its airspace, territory or territorial waters to be used for any attack on Iran. Abu Dhabi said it would maintain neutrality and continue efforts to promote regional stability.
In response, Air Forces Central stressed that all exercises would be carried out with host-nation approval and in close coordination with civil and military aviation authorities. “All activities will emphasize safety, precision and respect for sovereignty,” the statement said.
