Air & Space Forces Magazine and the Wall Street Journal, citing sources on the
17th, report the Pentagon is accelerating deployments of F-16 and F-35 combat
jets to the Middle East amid rising US‑Iran tensions. Aircraft identified
include F-16s from the USAF 480th Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base
(Germany) and F-35s from the USAF 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath (UK).
Multiple aerial refueling tankers are also reported en route. Air & Space
Forces Magazine said the buildup indicates a risk the conflict could expand as
the Trump administration presses Iran to agree to another deal.
