Mapping US military posture in West Asia as Trump mulls Iran attack
As President Donald Trump decides whether to join Israel's attack on Iran, the American armed forces have made a series of manoeuvres to adjust the US defence posture in West Asia amid the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv.
advertisementAccording to open-source evidence, US officials, and media reports, more than 15 destroyer ships, cruisers, oilers, logistics ships, and a carrier strike group (CSG) Carl Vinson, are currently operating in the Central Command's (CENTCOM) areas of responsibility in the Arabian Sea and Red Sea.
Another carrier strike group, the crown of US naval power, has also been diverted to West Asia, as per USNI News. CSG Nimitz (CVN-68) was sailing in the Malacca Strait three days ago, as per ship tracking data.
Six more ships, including two destroyers, are deployed in the Mediterranean Sea to support Israel.ASSETS MOVED TO AVOID IRANIAN ATTACKadvertisementThe US has also made some moves to protect its vulnerable naval and air assets in the Persian Gulf. Satellite images suggest the US has moved unsheltered fighter jets and aircraft from its largest air base in West Asia, Al Udeid air base in Qatar, to safer locations. Navy ships have also been dispersed from the US-West joint naval base in Bahrain, called the Naval Support Activity (NSA).
Credit: European Space Agency (ESA)
The military assets were moved away from their original places in anticipation of an Iranian attack on the US forces. After Israel's attack, Iran has threatened to attack US forces, citing Washington's continued political, diplomatic, and military support to Tel Aviv.
Credit: European Space Agency (ESA)
US TROOPS IN WEST ASIAThe US maintains more than 11,000 on-ground military personnel across West Asia. As per the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the US maintains eight permanent and 11 temporary or rotational military bases in the region.As of 2024, there were around 5,400 permanent US troops, and more than 6100 service members were deployed on a rotational basis in Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Nearly 3500 US troops are deployed in Bahrain alone, as per the Congressional Research Service
The US regularly makes adjustments to its troop deployment as per the situation. For example, it deployed additional forces when Yemen's Houthis were targeting Red Sea shipping lines and pulled some non-essential personnel before the Israeli attacks earlier this month.Apart from these troops, thousands of others were present on the carrier strike group (CSG) and other ships in the region.WHAT'S IN A CARRIER STRIKE GROUP?A carrier strike group (CSG) is a principal element of US power, holding enough firepower to rival the air forces of many nations.Known for being powerful, mobile, flexible, independent and sustainable, a carrier strike group typically contains roughly 7,500 sailors and marines. An aircraft carrier serves as the platform for flight operations and also forms the nucleus of a carrier strike group.
Every aircraft carrier of the CSG is nuclear-powered, which means it can remain on the high seas for a longer period.
advertisementA CSG contains five different types of ships: a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, a replenishment ship, a cruiser, destroyers, and an attack submarine.Around 66 aircraft and helicopters are typically deployed on board a carrier strike group's ships, including fighter jets, Growlers for electronic warfare, Hawkeyes for surveillance, C-2 Greyhound for transporting supplies from the shore, and helicopters.
Typically, five types of ships are part of a carrier strike group
The CSG is meant to 'achieve and sustain air, sea and undersea control, respond to crises and protect the United States' interests anywhere, anytime,' reads an infographic published by Huntington Ingalls Industries, the sole builder of US Navy aircraft carriers.BEHIND MILITARY BUILD-UPThe operations of two carrier strike groups in close proximity are quite unusual and signal the Trump administration's preparedness for any eventualities as the Israel-Iran conflict escalates further. The deployment comes amid growing indications that President Donald Trump has been warming up to the idea of joining Israel to strike some of Iran's nuclear sites. 'I may, I may not. Nobody knows what I'll do,' he told reporters when asked if he would order US forces to strike Iran.
Fordow is situated nearly 120-km southwest of capital Tehran.
advertisementThe US military role is crucial for destroying Iran's Fordow underground nuclear enrichment facility, which the United Nations' nuclear watchdog says has enriched Uranium up to 83.7 per cent purity.The facility is located 80-90 meters below the surface in a mountainous area. To destroy this facility, US B-2 Stealth bombers will need to drop GBU-57A/B 'bunker buster' bombs. Tune In
IN THIS STORY#United States of America#Donald Trump
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