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 refuelling tankers are also reported en route. Air & Space Forces Magazine said the buildup indicates

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 refuelling 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.