US reportedly sending dozens of aircraft to Middle East to pressure Iran

The United States is reportedly bolstering its military assets in the Middle East, with plans to deploy dozens of additional aircraft to the region. Citing U.S. and Israeli sources, Axios reported that President Donald Trump may issue a directive for this reinforcement in the coming days. Currently, approximately 30 U.S. refueling aircraft are stationed at Israel's Ben Gurion and Ramon air bases. Israeli officials indicate that the U.S. intends to send several dozen more, matching the number present at the start of the conflict.

Analysts suggest this significant buildup of U.S. military forces is intended to exert greater pressure on Iran. The objective is reportedly to compel Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz and comply with U.S. demands concerning its nuclear program. This escalation occurs despite a ceasefire announced on June 17. The U.S. military has been striking Iranian targets for five consecutive days, with one U.S. official reporting the destruction of at least seven bridges near Bandar Abbas, a key center for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

Axios reports that the U.S. is considering a broader military operation, potentially including strikes on critical Iranian infrastructure and nuclear facilities. Tensions continue to rise despite the recent ceasefire. In the early hours of July 17, the U.S. launched another extensive series of strikes across Iranian territory, targeting dozens of military sites, coastal surveillance posts, air defense systems, and naval facilities. In response, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard claimed to have struck U.S. facilities in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

The U.S. has imposed a blockade on Iranian shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, stopping and inspecting vessels, and resorting to strikes against those that do not comply. President Trump, in consultations with his advisors, appears increasingly inclined towards expanding military operations. Among the options being considered are more intensive airstrikes and the deployment of U.S. troops to islands near the Strait of Hormuz.