Is the US preparing to strike Iran again?

January 28, 2026

The United States has been significantly increasing its military presence in the Middle East following President Trump's warning to Iran about making a deal on its nuclear program. Intelligence tracking reveals dozens of additional aircraft, including fighter jets, refueling tankers, and surveillance planes arriving at regional bases, while the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group has been redirected from the Indo-Pacific to the Gulf region. This buildup follows last year's "Operation Midnight Hammer" strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and comes as Trump threatens that future attacks will be "far worse" if Iran doesn't negotiate.

Who is affected

Iranian citizens protesting against their government
Iranian regime and Revolutionary Guard Corps
US military personnel (approximately 50,000 in the Middle East region, with 10,000 at al-Udeid Airbase in Qatar)
Gulf allies including Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates
British military forces (Typhoon jet squadron deployed)
Personnel aboard USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group
Iranian military and militia forces suppressing protesters

What action is being taken

US military forces are conducting a buildup in the region with scores of additional aircraft arriving
The US is installing new anti-air defenses at al-Udeid Air Force Base
The US Air Force is conducting Operation Agile Spartan exercise in the region
The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is operating near Oman in the Gulf
Britain is deploying a squadron of Typhoon jets to boost regional security
Drones and P-8 Poseidon spy planes are operating near Iranian airspace
Iran is threatening to retaliate against potential US strikes

Why it matters

This military buildup represents a critical escalation point in US-Iran tensions that could determine whether the region experiences another major conflict or reaches a diplomatic resolution. The concentration of American military power gives the US capability to strike virtually any target in Iran, creating pressure on Tehran to negotiate limits on its nuclear program while risking a wider regional war. The outcome will significantly impact Middle East stability, as some Gulf allies have already indicated they won't support further strikes, and any military action could trigger Iranian retaliation that might draw the region into prolonged conflict. Trump faces a crucial decision between demonstrating decisive military action and avoiding the kind of extended engagement he has historically opposed.

What's next

Iran must decide whether to come to the negotiating table before time "runs out" according to Trump's warning
The US will determine whether to launch strikes targeting Iran's military capabilities, Revolutionary Guard Corps, militias suppressing protesters, or regime leadership
The situation could result either in a diplomatic solution limiting Iran's nuclear program or military strikes that Trump warns will be "far worse" than previous operations
If the regime falls, experts note the transition could take months or even years to play out

Read full article from source: BBC