A major military buildup across the Middle East has placed U.S. forces in position for what one former Pentagon official describes as a potential “highly kinetic” campaign, should President Donald Trump order military action.

The growing deployment comes as tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high while diplomatic negotiations continue in Oman. At the same time, analysts say the scale of current U.S. military positioning signals that the Pentagon is preparing for multiple possible outcomes.

Former Pentagon Official Warns Of Highly Kinetic Campaign

Dana Stroul, a former senior Pentagon official and now research director at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the current military posture shows the United States is ready for rapid escalation if necessary.

“The U.S. military is ready for a sustained, highly kinetic campaign should President Trump order it, and also prepared to defend allies and partners in the Middle East from Iran’s missiles,” Stroul told.

According to Stroul, the United States maintains a unique ability to rapidly mobilize powerful military resources anywhere in the world.

“The U.S. military can rapidly reposition assets from all over the world and deploy overwhelmingly lethal force in a short period of time to one theater,” she said before highlighting how there is “no ally or enemy capable of what we have seen from the U.S. in this current buildup.”

Aircraft Carriers Expand Offensive Capabilities

Central to the current strategy is the deployment of two powerful U.S. aircraft carriers in the region.

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest warship, has been tracked traveling east through the Strait of Gibraltar. Meanwhile, the USS Abraham Lincoln is currently operating in the Arabian Sea.

Stroul emphasized the strategic significance of the Ford’s presence.

“Two U.S. aircraft carriers and their accompanying vessels and air wings were stationed in the Middle East last summer during the 12-day war and the U.S. Operation Midnight Hammer,” she explained.

“The addition of the Ford is really important, it expands U.S. offensive capabilities if we go to war with Iran,” she said.

Broader Military Posture Compared To 2025 Strikes

While the United States conducted limited strikes against Iranian nuclear targets in June 2025, analysts say the current military positioning is far broader.

At that time, operations were designed to weaken specific facilities without triggering a wider regional conflict.

Now, the scale of forces in the region appears significantly larger.

Stroul said the U.S. has “increased the number of guided-missile destroyers, fighter aircraft, refuelers, and air defense systems” deployed across the Middle East.

This expanded network provides both offensive strike capability and defensive protection for allies across the region.

Strategic Placement Of US Naval Forces

Military planners have also carefully positioned naval assets to maximize operational flexibility.

“They will both be in the Middle East CENTCOM theater,” Stroul explained before clarifying that there could be “one in the eastern Mediterranean and the other in the Arabian Gulf.”

“There would probably be a combination of reasons for that based on availability, readiness, proximity to the Middle East.

“The Ford was heading home and directed to turn around,” she added.

Although exact deployment locations have not been publicly disclosed, officials say the presence of these carriers sends a powerful strategic signal.

Diplomatic Talks Continue Alongside Military Pressure

Despite the growing military posture, diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran continue.

Another round of indirect nuclear negotiations is scheduled to take place in Oman on Feb. 26, with Oman once again acting as a mediator between the two countries.

Stroul believes Iran’s leadership is attempting to balance diplomatic outreach with military signaling.

“Iran’s leaders are playing a weak hand by combining saber-rattling about their own capabilities, staging preparations and exercises to signal readiness,” she claimed.

“They are attempting to slow this down by pursuing negotiations. No one should be under any illusions about the reality of US dominance — Iran is completely outmatched in conventional terms,” Stroul said.

Iran’s Regional Network Facing Pressure

According to Stroul, Iran’s military position has also weakened following recent conflicts in the region.

“Israel dominated Iranian airspace in one day last year, targeted many of Iran’s security leaders, took out half of its missile arsenal, and the U.S. significantly set back its nuclear program,” Stroul said.

Meanwhile, Iran’s network of regional allies has faced setbacks.

“Iran’s long-cultivated network of proxies across the region is degraded after more than two years of Israeli operations, and they declined to enter the war and support Iran’s defense last summer,” Stroul explained.

She also suggested Iran cannot easily rebuild those capabilities.

“No matter what Iran’s leaders say, Iran is not able to rebuild a decades-long project in a few months.”

Final Decision Ultimately Political

Despite the strong military posture, Stroul emphasized that the key decision now lies in the political sphere.

The Pentagon, she said, already has the capacity to act.

“That said, the U.S. military is in a position to execute whatever orders President Trump gives,” she said. “It is not a question of military readiness, but a political decision.”

As diplomacy continues and tensions simmer, the world is watching closely to see which path the administration ultimately chooses.