The U.S. has sent F-15E fighter jets to the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran. The deployment comes as President Donald Trump weighs military options in response to Tehran’s crackdown on nationwide protests, which have left thousands dead.
The U.S. Air Force confirmed the arrival of F-15E fighter jets with an image showing a 494th Fighter Squadron Strike Eagle landing at an undisclosed base.
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron lands at a base in the Middle East, Jan. 18. The F-15’s presence enhances combat readiness and promotes regional security and stability. pic.twitter.com/QTXgOsOozV
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 20, 2026
Analysis of C-17 Globemaster III flight paths reportedly supporting the deployed units suggests that the base is likely the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.
U.S. military reinforcements are steadily building at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.
At least four additional USAF C-17A strategic airlifters have recently arrived or cycled through the base, alongside the deployment of F-15 fighters squadron and A-10 ground attack aircraft. https://t.co/c8U6QZwE8N pic.twitter.com/qmsThazSUe
— Egypt’s Intel Observer (@EGYOSINT) January 21, 2026
The move follows reports that the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is redeploying to the Middle East. The fifth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier was last seen leaving the Western Pacific and passing through the Malacca Strait on Tuesday.
According to the U.S. Naval Institute News and official Navy images, the U.S. Navy has also deployed at least three destroyers to the region: USS Roosevelt, USS Mitscher, and USS McFaul.
Sailors handle a phone and distance line on the foc’sle of USS Mitscher (DDG 57) during a replenishment-at-sea with USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7). Arabian Gulf, Jan 13, 2026 pic.twitter.com/q91j8u7gYQ
— Virtual Bayonet (@VirtualBayonet) January 19, 2026
Sailors remain alert and ready on watch while the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) transits the Arabian Gulf.
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Forward-deployed and mission-focused, Roosevelt supports maritime security and stability in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.… pic.twitter.com/titG65cKTV— U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) January 14, 2026
U.S. officials told The Wall Street Journal that additional air defenses, including more Patriot and THAAD missile systems, will be deployed to the Middle East.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump on Tuesday did not rule out the possibility of a military option against Iran.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: “So with Iran, they were going to hang 837 people…and we let them know that if that happens that it will be a very bad day for them, and they decided not to do it.”
“I can’t tell you what’s going to happen in the future but supposedly they’ve taken that off the… pic.twitter.com/b65E3Yb00A
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 20, 2026
“They were going to hang 837 people, and we let them know that if that happens, that will be a very bad day for them. I can’t tell you what’s going to happen in the future, but supposedly they’ve taken that off the table.”
“So we’re just going to see what happens with Iran,” he added.
Day 25 of Iran’s protests: confirmed deaths reached 4,902, with 9,387 more under review. At least 7,389 severely injured and 26,541 arrested, amid an ongoing internet blackout.#IranProtests
More in HRANA’s report here:https://t.co/ifZdzPAdmq pic.twitter.com/wEQWfQRWsi— HRANA English (@HRANA_English) January 21, 2026
Death toll estimates from the crackdown on Iranian protests vary. U.S.-based rights group Human Rights Activists News Agency reported on Wednesday that on Day 25 of the protests, confirmed deaths had reached 4,902, with 9,387 more under review.
On Saturday, Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, cited the global body’s assessment that Iranian authorities may have killed up to 18,000 people.
