BBC Verify has tracked significant US military build-up near Iran including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and additional fighter jets deployed to the region. The military movements come as high-stakes nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran enter a critical phase.

US Military Assets Positioned Near Iran

Satellite imagery and tracking data confirm the presence of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group in waters near Iran. The US military build-up near Iran includes additional fighter jets and support vessels positioning for potential contingency operations.

The Lincoln carries approximately 70 aircraft including F-35C stealth fighters capable of penetrating Iranian air defenses. Carrier strike groups typically include destroyers and cruisers equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles, providing significant strike capabilities against Iranian targets.

Timing With Nuclear Talks

The US military build-up near Iran coincides with delicate negotiations in Geneva over Tehran's nuclear program. While Iranian officials report that guiding principles have been agreed, substantial gaps remain between American demands and Iranian positions.

According to BBC Middle East coverage, the military deployment serves dual purposes: providing options if diplomacy fails and demonstrating resolve to extract concessions at the negotiating table.

Iranian Military Preparations

Iran has not remained passive as American forces gather. Satellite images show Tehran has fortified underground complexes near nuclear facilities, hardening potential targets against aerial attack. The Iranian military has conducted exercises demonstrating missile capabilities that could threaten US bases and allies across the region.

Revolutionary Guard commanders have issued statements warning that any attack would trigger massive retaliation against American interests and allies throughout the Middle East. These threats are backed by Iran's substantial missile arsenal and proxy forces in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq.

Regional Allies on Alert

Countries across the Middle East are preparing for potential spillover from any US-Iran confrontation. Israel has reportedly urged Washington to pursue maximalist demands, with Prime Minister Netanyahu stating that Iran must abandon all enriched uranium and halt production entirely.

Gulf Arab states have put their militaries on heightened alert while simultaneously seeking reassurances from Washington. These nations fear becoming collateral damage in any conflict between the United States and Iran.

What Comes Next

The US military build-up near Iran demonstrates that the Trump administration is serious about achieving its diplomatic objectives through either negotiation or coercion. Military planners have reportedly presented options ranging from limited strikes on nuclear facilities to broader campaigns targeting Iran's military infrastructure.

For now, both sides maintain that they prefer a diplomatic solution. But with substantial military assets in position and fundamental disagreements persisting at the negotiating table, the region remains on a knife's edge as talks continue.