US Sending F-16, F-22, F-35 Jets to Middle East Amid Iran-Israel Conflict
By Gabe Whisnant
The U.S. military is increasing its air power in the Middle East by deploying additional fighter jets and extending current warplane missions as the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, three U.S. officials told Reuters.
One official confirmed the move includes the deployment of advanced aircraft such as F-16s, F-22s and F-35s, aimed at reinforcing American military presence and deterrence in the volatile region.
Two of the officials emphasized that the deployment is defensive in nature, noting the fighter jets have been used primarily to intercept and destroy drones and incoming projectiles.
USAF F-16
A US Air Force F-16 fighter jet takes off from the airbase in Spangdahlem, Germany, on May 16, 2024. Associated Press
On Tuesday afternoon, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, "We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran. Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn't compare to American made, conceived, and manufactured "stuff." Nobody does it better than the good ol' USA."
The president also said the U.S. knows where Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is hiding but doesn't want him killed "for now." Trump also urged Iran's "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER" as the Israel-Iran conflict escalates.
President Trump recently urged the 9.4 million residents of Tehran to flee the capital and cutting short an international summit to return to Washington for emergency talks with his national security team.
Arriving at the White House early Tuesday, Trump faced a pivotal moment as Israel's five-day campaign of missile strikes against Iran has reportedly inflicted significant damage. Israeli officials believe they are close to delivering a decisive blow to Iran's nuclear infrastructure — particularly if the U.S. provides advanced support, such as bunker-busting munitions or direct military assistance.
Such a move would carry significant political risks for Trump, who has expressed frustration with Iran's refusal to reach a deal curbing its nuclear ambitions. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said he is no longer inclined to negotiate.
"They should have done the deal," he told reporters. "I'm not too much in the mood to negotiate."
Though Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful and U.S. intelligence has not concluded Tehran is building a bomb, Trump is increasingly framing the conflict as one requiring a firm U.S. response. His remarks coincide with the repositioning of U.S. warships and aircraft in the region, signaling a readiness to respond if tensions escalate further.
Iran's official death toll remains at 224, but the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists reports at least 452 fatalities linked to the Israeli offensive. The organization says it verifies information by crosschecking local reports from within Iran against a network of sources it maintains inside the country.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a versatile, multirole fighter jet widely used by the U.S. and allied forces. Known for its agility and relatively low cost, the F-16 excels in both air-to-air combat and air-to-ground strikes. First introduced in the 1970s, it has undergone numerous upgrades and remains a core component of U.S. air power.
Read more Iran
In the recent escalation between Israel and Iran, 24 people have been reported killed in Israel due to Iranian strikes.
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