Could US and Israel launch a weeks-long war on Iran? Here’s what latest reports say | World News

Tensions in the Middle East appear to be rising again, with the US deploying the bulk of its airborne early warning fleet to Europe and the region around Iran. Reports indicate that Washington has deployed about 40% of its fleet of E-3 Sentry AWACS, the Air Force’s flying radar and battle management aircraft; analysts see this as important evidence of increased readiness. The Air Force’s flying radar and battle management aircraft guide fighters, tankers and interceptors through congested environments, providing 360° surveillance up to 250 miles.

Additionally, open-source defense reports show the U.S. Air Force KC-46A “Pegasus,” a modern aerial refueling tanker serving as a flying refueling station, crossed the Atlantic with six F-22 Raptors from the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, further demonstrating the scale of U.S. air actions.

The developments come after Axios reported that the United States may be preparing for a major conflict with Iran, potentially with Israeli support. According to the report, Washington is considering an operation that could last weeks, instead of the quick and limited operation previously carried out to capture Maduro.

US military buildup in the region

While Washington has steadily expanded its military footprint in the region, it has also increased pressure on Tehran. This buildup reportedly involves the deployment of two aircraft carrier strike groups to the Middle East, with the USS Abraham Lincoln already on station and the USS Gerald R. Ford en route. They are supported by more than a dozen warships operating in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea.

In addition, more than 50 warplanes, including F-22s, F-35s and F-16s, have recently arrived in the region, reinforcing the hundreds of aircraft already positioned at sea and at regional bases. Air defense assets such as THAAD and Patriot missile systems have also been deployed to strengthen protective capabilities.

Since late January, flight tracking data shows more than 250 US cargo flights have delivered weapons, equipment and supplies to the region, demonstrating the scale and pace of the ongoing military build-up.

Background: The collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal

The origins of current tensions date back to the collapse of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreed between Iran and major world powers, including the United States. According to the agreement, Tehran limited its uranium enrichment rate to 3.67 percent and reduced its stock to 300 kilograms. The deal began to unravel in 2018 after the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew the US, setting the stage for years of escalating friction between Washington and Tehran.