US Military Boosts Middle East Presence as Iran Nuclear Talks Move to Oman

The U.S. military has significantly increased its presence across the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran, as nuclear negotiations experienced last-minute changes Wednesday, shifting from their planned location in Istanbul to Oman.

U.S. and Iranian officials had initially planned to meet Friday in Istanbul, with several Middle Eastern countries participating as observers. The talks, focused on restarting negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, were relocated after intervention from multiple Arab leaders.

“The agreement to move forward with this happened only after several Arab country leaders lobbied the Trump administration today – making the case the U.S. should not walk away,” a senior U.S. official confirmed to Fox News Digital.

Satellite imagery from Planet Labs reveals an extensive deployment of American military assets throughout the region, including aircraft, naval vessels, and logistical platforms positioned strategically by late January. The imagery shows the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group operating in the Arabian Sea, along with destroyers deployed across the eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea.

“The military buildup is consistent with a force preparing for a variety of potential strike options,” explained Philip Sheers, a research associate with the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security. However, Sheers cautioned that visible movements alone don’t indicate an imminent strike.

“Positioning of platforms is not the only precondition to preparedness for a strike,” he noted. “Additional maintenance equipment, munitions and intelligence, among other elements, may still be needed before a desired strike can be executed.”

The satellite images reveal strategic deployments at multiple locations. At Duqm Airport in Oman, V-22 Osprey aircraft are visible, which Sheers indicated could support “search-and-rescue missions to recover personnel after a mission.” Meanwhile, Muwaffaq Salti Airbase in Azraq, Jordan, shows C-130 aircraft that could be utilized for “search and rescue at sea or for other logistics operations.”

“It’s clear that there are multirole combat aircraft stationed here, which would support ground strikes and defensive counterair operations,” Sheers added, noting the presence of helicopters whose specific type couldn’t be determined from the available imagery.

The military buildup comes as tensions continue to escalate in the region. On Tuesday, U.S. forces shot down an Iranian drone that approached the USS Abraham Lincoln in international waters, according to U.S. Central Command. This incident underscores the increasingly volatile situation between the two nations.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized Wednesday that the U.S. would only engage in meaningful talks if they addressed comprehensive concerns about Iran’s activities, including its ballistic missile program, support for militant groups across the Middle East, and human rights issues, alongside its nuclear activities.

“If the Iranians want to meet, we’re ready. They’ve expressed an interest in meeting and talking. If they changed their mind, we’re fine with that, too. We prefer to meet and talk,” Rubio told reporters at the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting at the State Department.

Military analysts are also monitoring Iran’s own capabilities in the region. Sheers cited the presence of Iran’s Shahid Bagheri drone carrier, suggesting its potential role could be to “harass, fatigue or distract U.S. surface ships in the area” and force American forces to expend resources defending themselves.

U.S. Central Command has already warned Iran against what it termed “escalatory behavior” in international waters, vowing to protect American personnel and assets.

“What is clear is the United States is moving a variety of intelligence, logistics, search and rescue, strike and air defense platforms into the region,” Sheers concluded. “Those are clear signals to Iran of increasing U.S. strike capability, but the potential timing and targets of a possible strike are not clear and may not become clear.”

The repositioning of military assets serves as both a deterrent and preparation for potential conflict scenarios, highlighting the delicate diplomatic balance being struck as nuclear talks proceed in their new location.