Amman Today

publish date 2026-02-18 12:29:00

Ammon – The US military transferred more than 50 combat aircraft to the Middle East within 24 hours, according to the Axios news website, quoting an American official, on Tuesday.

Air traffic tracking platforms detected a number of F-16, F-22, and F-35 aircraft heading to the Middle East, as part of the United States’ moves to enhance its air and naval capabilities near Iran.

This American military reinforcement comes in the midst of negotiations with Iranian officials, focusing on the Iranian nuclear program.

Last week, American media reported that the United States would send its largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to reinforce its forces in the Middle East in anticipation of a possible confrontation with Iran.

The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, along with other prominent air and naval assets, were already deployed to the region in January.

On the other hand, Iran announced on Tuesday the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz to conduct military exercises with live ammunition, in a rare show of force.
It is noteworthy that this is the first time that Iran has announced the closure of this vital international waterway, through which 20 percent of the world’s oil passes, since the United States began directing threats to Tehran and strengthening its military presence in the region.

In parallel with the military movements and preparations for a possible war, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that the round of negotiations with the United States in Geneva resulted in a “set of guidelines” that would pave the way for an agreement.

Araqchi told Iranian state television after the talks: “Ultimately, we were able to reach a general agreement on a set of guidelines, which we will rely on to move forward and start working on the text of a possible agreement.”

He added: “I can say that compared to the previous round, very serious discussions were held and the atmosphere was more constructive.”

On Tuesday, Tehran and Washington held a second round of negotiations, after a first round at the beginning of the month in Muscat, following the collapse of the talks that took place last year as a result of the Israeli attack on Iran in June, which sparked a 12-day war in which the United States participated in bombing 3 Iranian nuclear sites.

Sky News

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World News

Source 1 : https://www.ammonnews.net/article/980787

Source 2 : ألدستور