The United States has moved 50 advanced stealth fighters, including F-22 Raptors and F-35 Lightnings, to bases across the Middle East. This deployment comes as a "show of force" following a breakdown in indirect talks regarding Iran's nuclear enrichment program and increased maritime friction in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Pentagon stated that the move is intended to "deter regional aggression" and protect international shipping lanes. While diplomatic channels remain open, the presence of such a high concentration of fifth-generation aircraft has significantly heightened the military alert level across the region, drawing concerns from international observers about potential escalation.