US sends over 50 fighter jets near Iran amid nuclear talks
The US military has moved more than 50 warplanes to the Middle East in the past 24 hours as it builds up its air and naval assets near Iran. Axios reported Tuesday, citing a U.S. official.
A multitude of F-16, F-22 and F-35 jets have been observed heading towards the Middle East by independent flight trackers.
The strengthening of the US military comes as part of indirect negotiations with Iranian officials, focused on Iran’s nuclear program.
A US official said The Jerusalem Post that progress was made during negotiations held Tuesday in Geneva, stressing that many details “still need to be discussed.”
The official said Iran had indicated it would make detailed proposals in the next two weeks to close gaps with the United States. “The Iranians have said they will come back in the next two weeks with detailed proposals to close some of the open gaps in our positions,” the official told the Post.
“There have been good meetings, but the gaps are still significant. There is still a lot of work to do to reach an agreement.”
Last week, American media reported that the United States would send its largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Fordto strengthen its forces in the Middle East in anticipation of a planned clash with Iranian forces.
THE USS Gerald R. Ford and its escort ships had already been deployed to the Caribbean and, according to four unnamed U.S. officials, were informed of their new destination on Thursday.
THE USS Abraham Lincolnas well as other notable air and naval assets, were already deployed in the area in January.
Reuters contributed to this report.
