US sends F-22s, F-35s, F-16s in 50-jet Middle East deployment amid Iran talks

The world's largest warship, U.S. aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. (REUTERS)

• US deploys over 50 fighter jets to Middle East in 24 hours
• USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group heads toward the region
• US and Iran report progress in indirect nuclear talks in Geneva

Did our AI summary help?

The United States has sharply increased its military presence in the Middle East, deploying more than 50 fighter jets in the past 24 hours, even as it pushes ahead with fresh diplomatic engagement with Iran over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

US officials described the move as a major reinforcement of both air and naval assets in the region. This was first reported by Axios, citing a US official who confirmed the rapid aircraft movements.

Independent flight-tracking data and military aviation monitors recorded multiple F-22, F-35 and F-16 fighter jets heading toward the region along with several aerial refuelling tankers, indicating preparations for sustained operations. A US official told Axios that “more than 50 fighter jets have been moved to the region in the past 24 hours,” highlighting the speed and scale of the deployment.

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, 2026

The surge comes as American and Iranian officials hold a second round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva.

Second carrier strike group en route

Meanwhile, the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford strike group has left the Caribbean and is now in the mid-Atlantic, sailing toward the Middle East, a US Navy official said Tuesday. According to Associated Press, the official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of ship movements, said the carrier is travelling with three guided-missile destroyers.

Based on its current position, the strike group is expected to be more than a week away from waters near Iran. The USS Abraham Lincoln and other significant US air and naval assets had already been deployed to the region earlier this year, further expanding Washington’s military footprint.

Talks signal cautious optimism

Despite the visible show of force, both sides struck a guarded but positive tone on diplomacy. US officials said the Geneva discussions “made progress,” though “there are still a lot of details to discuss.”

Following meetings involving envoys of US President Donald Trump, Iranian representatives indicated they would return within two weeks with more detailed proposals to address outstanding gaps, according to a US official.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the talks as “serious, constructive and positive,” telling Iranian state television that good progress had been made compared to the previous round and that a clearer path had emerged, while cautioning that a final agreement would still take time.

Mediation efforts were led by Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who said negotiations concluded with good progress toward identifying common goals and technical issues.

*With agency inputs