The United States is reportedly undergoing its most significant military buildup in the Middle East in recent years, potentially gearing up for an active campaign against Iran, according to a former high-ranking Pentagon official.
Dana Stroll, now the director of research at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, conveyed this information on Sunday, coinciding with the anticipation of a new round of indirect nuclear discussions between Washington and Iran in Oman.
“The U.S. military is prepared to execute prolonged, intensive operations per President Trump’s directives, as well as to safeguard our allies in the region from Iranian missile threats,” Stroll told Fox News Digital.
She emphasized the U.S. military’s capacity to swiftly redeploy resources globally, asserting that they could deliver overwhelming force to a specific warzone in a short timeframe. “No other ally or adversary has demonstrated capabilities like this in the current buildup,” she highlighted.
Stroll elaborated on how the current military stance diverges from the limited strike carried out in June 2025 on Iranian nuclear targets, noting an expansion in both offensive and defensive capabilities.
“During last summer’s 12-day conflict and the United States’ Operation Midnight Hammer, two aircraft carriers along with their support vessels were stationed in the Middle East,” she recalled.
The addition of the USS Gerald R. Ford significantly enhances America’s strike options if a conflict with Iran were to emerge, according to her.
While the U.S. conducted a precise strike on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025 to avoid regional escalation, Stroll points out that today’s military posture is far more comprehensive and sustained.
There has also been an increase in guided missile destroyers, fighter jets, tanker aircraft, and air defense systems in the area, she mentioned, further bolstering U.S. capabilities.
The deployment of carriers—including the USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS Abraham Lincoln—is of strategic significance, Stroll noted.
Recently, the USS Gerald R. Ford was observed moving eastward through the Strait of Gibraltar, while the USS Abraham Lincoln was active in the Arabian Sea.
Stroll explained that “both will join the CENTCOM theater in the Middle East,” and their locations could vary between the Eastern Mediterranean and the Arabian Gulf, depending on operational considerations.
“The Ford was redirected back after initially heading towards its destination,” she added. Although specific deployment locations aren’t disclosed for security reasons, their mere presence serves as a substantial deterrent.
The military buildup is occurring in the context of ongoing indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran, with Oman stepping in as an intermediary once more as discussions continue.
Stroll offered insight into the Iranian leadership’s strategy—balancing aggressive posturing with negotiations. “Iran’s leaders are adopting an underdog stance, using defensive rhetoric about their capabilities while showing readiness through various military drills,” she suggested.
She warned against underestimating American dominance. “Iran remains significantly outmatched in conventional terms,” Stroll asserted, pointing out a day last year when Israel gained control over Iranian airspace and effectively disabled parts of Iran’s missile capabilities.
Moreover, Iran’s extensive network of regional proxies, such as Hezbollah and Iraqi militias, is also facing challenges due to persistent Israeli military actions, which have weakened this established framework.
“After two years of consistent Israeli operations, Iran’s proxy network has been considerably affected, and last summer, Israel refrained from engaging in the war to bolster Iran’s defense,” Stroll noted.
“No matter the bold claims from Iranian officials, rebuilding that decades-old infrastructure in a few months is unrealistic,” she pointed out. “Ultimately, the U.S. military is ready to follow through on any directives from President Trump; the focus here is on political decision-making, not military readiness.”
