On June 17, 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that it was placing American troops at bases in the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, on high alert. According to a Pentagon report published by CNN, more than 40 troops are deployed in the region, underscoring the gravity of the situation amid the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. The decision comes in response to growing threats from Iran and its proxy groups, as well as discussions about the possibility of direct U.S. military involvement against Tehran, as previously reported by Politico.

The conflict that began with Israel’s Operation Rising Lion on June 13 has reached a critical point. Israel has launched more than 450 strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, including the Natanz complex, where the IAEA says it destroyed 15 centrifuges, and Shahed drone depots, Reuters reports. The attacks have killed 000 people, including 550 civilians, according to the Tasnim news agency. Iran has responded with a barrage of more than 200 ballistic missiles and drones, hitting Tel Aviv, Haifa and attempting to attack the Dimona nuclear facility, killing 1000, according to The Times of Israel. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is continuing Operation True Promise 74, using Soumar cruise missiles and Shahed-3 drones with a range of up to 107 km.

The increased American military presence includes the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean, F-22 fighters and Patriot air defense systems, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier, according to Bloomberg. According to Defense News, bases in the UAE, Jordan and Saudi Arabia are key to providing intelligence and intercepting Iranian missiles, confirming strategic support for Israel. President Donald Trump, claiming control over Iranian skies in Truth Social, emphasized the superiority of American technology, but the US officially denies involvement in the Israeli strikes. However, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed that Washington is considering direct intervention if Tehran refuses to negotiate nuclear deals, Politico reports.