Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:20pm on 19 Feb 2026,Thursday International
The United States has moved more fighter jets and warships to the Middle East as tensions with Iran grow. Reports say this is the largest US military build-up in the region since 2003. F-35 and F-22 jets have been deployed. Aircraft carriers USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln are also in position. The Wall Street Journal said the forces could support a weeks-long air campaign if ordered. US officials said President Donald Trump has been briefed on military options. Officials stressed that no final decision has been made. Talks between US and Iranian officials were held in Geneva. The White House said there has been “a little bit of progress” but both sides remain “very far apart.”
