US military buildup near Iran
President Trump is sending the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest warship, to the Middle East, along with a huge fleet of aerial refueling tankers and F-22 and F-35 strike fighters, according to reports.
The massive buildup in military hardware is the biggest indication yet that Trump could be preparing for large-scale strikes against Iran if high-stakes negotiations over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program and brutal crackdown on protesters fail.
This is carrying the big stick. But I refuse to even try to predict what will ultimately happen.
Iran still thinks it can talk it’s way out of this. I hope Trump doesn’t wimp out
From my lefty friends they are really hoping he attacks as it gives yet another reason to go after Trump. Again, they could give 2 sh!ts to a damn about the threat Iran represents, or the Iranian people. It’s all about getting Trump.
I have doubts that it is really feasible, but another Venezuela snatch-the-leader op would certainly get the attention of all the right people, wouldn’t it?!
Democrap Playbook:
1. Trump does not attack: TACO
2. Trump attacks: warmonger
Today begins the Ramadan month. I’m guessing (merely guessing) that no attack will come during this period, unless of course the mullah’s decide to do extra crazy stuff like close the Hormuz or attack American bases or shipping or some such stupidity. But that’s unlikely if yet possible. Meantime the truly important things we cannot see will proceed apace, namely, crucial intelligence gathering on Iranian ballistic missile systems infrastructure, build sites and cruise missile batteries, drone batteries etc. And I imagine the Iranian people are highly willing to help information gathering in all areas of need, down to locating officers and command structures of the IRGC with their affiliated ranks below. Plenty of tasks to occupy our and Israeli services as they build out target lists, organizing for success when the go is given. So, we wait.
Since you refuse to predict what will happen. I am now ordering you to make a prediction.
Don’t force me to limit the amount of ballet posts you get to make.
@physicsguy: From my lefty friends they are really hoping he attacks as it gives yet another reason to go after Trump.
I’m sure they are. An attack on Iran will be a high-stakes risky business all around. Trump must get this right.
If Trump pulls the trigger, focus on taking out the IRGC.
Let the Iranian people deal with the Mullahs…
I doubt Trump would approve of a plan to capture the Iranian leader, principally because he’s a religious leader, as well as a political one, as well as a very old one, during the Holy Month. It would be a serious mis-step IMO. I realize Iran might not be a particularly devout nation, especially at this stage, but nevertheless it would be seen as an attack on Islam – or could easily be made into a Big News Story in that vein.
Before the US bombing of the Iranian Nuke sites a few months ago I was disappointed that so many of our people – even on the right – did not know or completely dismissed that Iran has been chanting ” Death to America” for decades. The non nation building attack on the Iranian nuke facilities was far more justified in my opinion than the highly questionable Iraq war and nation building after 9/11.
Previous presidents have avoided acting during Ramadan but I do not think Trump will. Almost all I have ever heard about what the “Arab street” will do has turned out to be crap. They sure as Hell didn’t rise up when Israel finally unleashed the IDF on Hamas, and I don’t think Iran has many true friends in the region.
@Dwaz: Previous presidents have avoided acting during Ramadan but I do not think Trump will.
Heck! George Washington led troops on Christmas night to attack the Hessians the next day. We’ve got the painting to commemorate it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Crossing_the_Delaware_(1851_paintings)
Totally badass!
@Jon baker: The non nation building attack on the Iranian nuke facilities was far more justified in my opinion than the highly questionable Iraq war and nation building after 9/11.
IMO halting Iran’s nuclear program is our most crucial foreign policy move in the 21st century.
If Iran would get the bomb (Obama’s treaty did nothing long-term to prevent that outcome), the possibility of nuclear war would easily double, likely more. Probably much more.
What Geoffrey Britain said.
And make sure to get the ‘speed boat’ Navy and any mine layers.
Interesting question is where the Air Force assets will operate from.
An aside. The Grandson of a Dear Friend flew electronic F-18s in the Gerald Ford air wing on her first deployment. (I assume that the anomaly of referring to all ships, even those named for males, with female pronouns is still appropriate.). Ford debuted lots of nuts and bolts cutting edge technology wrt to catapults and landing aids. They had some growing pains, and I trust that those are resolved. Another interesting aside, for those who care about such things. You hear very little about USN F-35s. Seems like the now venerable F-18 is still very much the workhorse. (An acquaintance flew some of the acceptance trials on the F-18 back in the day, and thought it was lacking. Fortunately, it worked out better than he anticipated) The son of aforementioned Friend was a Manager for fleet introduction of the F-35. The USN/USMC versions had serious birthing pains, and cost a King’s ransom.
Daily Mail has a headline screaming “Trump in emergency meeting about Iran”, but further down in the article Leavitt explains it was scheduled meeting. Also, I can’t see any military action until the second carrier group is in place which will be at least a week or more.
Thing is, physicsguy, we can see a sizeable increase in the production of wound-up (propagandizing? merely opportunistic? who knows?) articles and proclamations splurted across the various media in the last couple of days, with no signs I can see of slowing. If anything, I reckon the tempo and volume of hair-on-fire bullshit will pick up from here on out. Best pay it little mind I tell myself, or “filter severely” otherwise.
Poland’s embassy has told Poles to leave Iran, immediately.
Iranians are again out on the streets, tho less than a few weeks ago.
There will be some trigger that Trump uses to launch a huge air bombardment, with Israeli info & possibly even Jewish/ IDF boots on the ground.
Installation of son of Shah as temporary head, like in Cambodia as Pol Pot was defeated (by Viet commies) & the Prince was restored for unity purposes.
Also as in Spain after Franco.
Possible, 30%, that Iranian Kurds declare a Kurdistan autonomous region. Perhaps with Israeli backing.
In the next month.
—my prediction.
Given for free, worth at least twice that.
I’ve noticed an increasing drumbeat of news about an attack on Iran too. Barring a surprising cave from the mullahs, I assume it’s going to happen. Then there’s this:
_____________________________
BREAKING: Senator Lindsey Graham, in an interview with Sky News Arabia: “The US decision regarding Iran has already been made. The ships are not arriving in the area only because the weather is pleasant at this time of year”
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/amy-curtis/2026/02/19/lindsey-graham-on-iran-n2671557
I’ll predict!
Within the next 10 days – and even as soon as the STOU – attacks will be launched on Iran.
The attacks will be focused on the mullahs and the so-called Supreme Leader along with the IRGC. They will all soon be dead.
Trump will hit hard any ballistic missile sites and any nuke sites.
The CIA has been cultivating opposition leaders both on the outside of the regime and on the inside.
The Crown Prince will go to Tehran will claim leadership as head of a constitutional monarchy.
The best part of this is that a nuclear threat is removed and no more funding of terror groups by Iran. On top of that, 93 million people will be free and that human capital (along with capitalism) will make Iran great again. And my daughter-in-law and son can fly to Iran and visit her parents.
This is a total lock and I have put money on it at Kalshi.
Barack is the hardest hit. I want a comment from this guy.
Tom Grey: Iran already closed the Strait of Hormez. Bad idea and reason for war; as if murdering 50,000 civilians wasn’t a good enough reason.
@Cornhead: The CIA has been cultivating opposition leaders both on the outside of the regime and on the inside.
I’ve been wondering about that and pretty sure it was happening.
Cornhead: From your lips to Trump’s ears!