The United States has begun deploying additional fighter jets to the Middle East amid escalating conflict with Iran.

A US official told The Washington Post that the United States is planning a broader war against Iran.

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Al Arabiya quoted The Wall Street Journal as saying the military deployment includes F-16 fighters arriving from a US air base in western Germany, as well as F-35 fighters from the UK's Royal Air Force base at Lakenheath used by US forces.

Sending refueling aircraft

The newspaper added that aerial refueling aircraft are also being sent to the region. The New York Times confirmed the deployment news, citing US officials.

US official to Washington Post: Pentagon boosts number of US aircraft in region #AlArabiya_Breaking — Al Arabiya Breaking (@AlArabiya_Brk) July 19, 2026

According to the newspaper, as quoted by Al Arabiya, the decision had already been made before two US soldiers were killed by Iranian fire targeting a military base in Jordan last Friday.