US launches military ‘readiness’ drills in the Middle East
The United States has initiated large-scale, multi-day military exercises across the Middle East. The drills coincide with President Donald Trump’s announcement of an additional naval deployment, escalating a tense standoff with Tehran.
US Air Forces Central (AFCENT) stated on Tuesday that the “readiness exercise” is designed to demonstrate the rapid deployment and sustainment of combat aircraft. The operation allegedly aims to validate procedures for dispersing personnel and jets to various “contingency locations” and integrating command with unnamed “partner nations.”
“This is about upholding our commitment to maintaining combat-ready Airmen and the disciplined execution required to keep airpower available when and where it’s needed,” said AFCENT commander Lieutenant General Derek France.
U.S. Air Forces Central will be conducting a multi-day readiness exercise to demonstrate the ability to deploy, disperse, and sustain combat airpower across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Read more: https://t.co/F4rRENnVGDpic.twitter.com/ny80gdjuQU
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 27, 2026
The aerial drills complement a major naval buildup. US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by guided-missile destroyers, entered the region earlier this week.
Furthermore, the US has moved additional F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, Patriot missile batteries, and THAAD air defense systems to the Middle East.
“There’s another beautiful armada floating beautifully towards Iran right now,” Trump stated during a speech on Tuesday, adding that he hopes Tehran will “make a deal.” He previously asserted the naval force near Iran is larger than the one used in the Venezuelan operation.
These military movements follow weeks of extreme tension, during which Trump reportedly came close to ordering strikes to “punish” Tehran for its crackdown on violent anti-government protests. While the US president has yet to make a final decision, an unnamed Gulf official told Middle East Eye that Washington is weighing precision strikes against Iranian officials and military commanders.
Iran has responded with defiant warnings against “any miscalculations.” Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani stated that Tehran is “fully prepared” for any potential war, emphasizing that any US attack would provoke a “swift and comprehensive” response. This mirrors prior warnings from Iranian military commanders that their forces have their “finger on the trigger.”
The crisis stems from widespread anti-government protests in Iran initially triggered by economic decline, which officials said left some 3,000 dead. Tehran blames the US and Israel for instigating and fueling the unrest to justify military intervention.
