U.S. Moves Additional Fighter Jets To Middle East

• 17.06.2025, 22:04

We're talking about moving F-16s, F-22s and F-35s.

The US is moving more fighter jets to the Middle East and extending the deployment of other combat aircraft because of the exchange of strikes between Israel and Iran, Reuters reported, citing three US officials.

One of the agency's sources said the deployment involves F-16, F-22 and F-35 fighter jets. Two other sources confirmed the defensive nature of the deployment of fighter jets used to intercept drones and projectiles.

The day before, Reuters reported the deployment of a large number of refueling planes to Europe, as well as the deployment of a U.S. aircraft carrier to the Middle East.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the deployment as defensive, saying Washington was seeking to protect its forces in the region from a potential retaliatory strike by Iran and forces backed by it.

"Protecting U.S. forces is our top priority, and these force deployments are designed to strengthen our defensive posture in the region," Hegseth wrote on social media X.

The U.S. already has significant forces in the Middle East, including nearly 40,000 troops, as well as fighter jets, warships and air defense systems capable of detecting and shooting down enemy missiles, Reuters noted.