AT least 60 US military jets have touched down at a key base in Jordan – in the latest sign that Donald Trump is preparing to strike Iran.
Helicopters, F-35 stealth jets, and new air defence systems were seen in satellite images at Muwaffaq Salti as the .
At least 60 US military aircraft have been seen in JordanCredit: Airbus
Trump has threatened to strike IranCredit: Alamy
The huge build-up could point to Trump mulling strike optionsCredit: Airbus
The 60 aircraft – around triple the amount normally stationed there – were pictured parked at the base on Friday, the New York Times reported.
And at least 68 cargo planes have also landed at the US hub since Sunday.
The aircraft have scrambled to Jordan as part of a new defence agreement, local officials told the outlet, adding that fears of a regional war were mounting.
It comes as Trump continues to mull his military options as he pushes Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to agree on a nuclear deal.
The US leader has hinted at launching an attack on the mullahs’ regime over the last few weeks.
On Friday, he said he was weighing up a limited strike on Iran, telling reporters: “I guess I can say I am considering [it].”
He added: “They better negotiate a deal.”
On Thursday, the US president gave Tehran a deadline of or face “really bad things”.
The huge US military build-up in the Middle East has fuelled fears of a war with the Ayatollah, which could spark wider chaos in the region.
The , is believed to be on track to reach the region by Tuesday.
State-of-the-art fighter jets on the behemoth and its , already stationed near Iran, could be getting ready to wipe out the ruling mullahs and their defences.
Flying tankers, needed to refuel jets, have been detected in Spain and Greece.
White House sources previously told the New York Times and CNN that Washington was prepared to strike Iran as early as this weekend.
US military planning has reached an advanced stage which includes targeting individual leaders and possible regime change, top White House sources say.
The Muwaffaq Salti base is located in Jordan (stock)Credit: US Air Force
Trump also said at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace that the US would “maybe” strike a deal with Iran.
“You’re going to be finding out over the next, maybe, 10 days,” he added.
It comes after Washington and Tehran held indirect crunch talks in Geneva on Tuesday.
Iran’s top negotiator said both sides had agreed on a “set of guiding principles”, during the three-and-a-half-hour discussions.
Tehran is reportedly not willing to budge on its right to enrich uranium – a key aspect of building nuclear weapons – sources told the Washington Post.
Khamenei’s negotiators have continued to reject demands to dismantle his nuclear programme or to end their bloody crackdown on protesters.
New air defence systems have been pictured in satellite imagery of a US base in JordanCredit: Airbus
USS Abraham Lincoln seen deployed in the region near IranCredit: AFP
A US official on Thursday revealed the plan is to hit the regime with ever-increasing firepower until they concede to demands or are overthrown.
But Axios reported on Friday that Trump may be willing to consider allowing Iran “token” nuclear enrichment – as long as it leaves no possible path to a bomb.
A former US Special Forces Colonel has also warned that Trump could “obliterate everything” if he pulls the trigger on bombing Iran.
Ron MacMannon told The Sun: “Iran’s regime could face annihilation if US war plans are really set in motion.”
Insiders say the US can flick the switch of Iran’s defences with ease – as its agents did last month to capture Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela on Trump’s orders last month.
Iran’s defences mainly consist of Russian S-300 systems that were quickly neutralised by US electronic jamming and HARM anti-radar missiles in Operation Absolute Resolve in Caracas on January 3.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is refusing to budge on Iran’s uranium enrichment plansCredit: AFP
A satellite overview shows the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Facility following US-Israeli strikes June 24, 2025Credit: Reuters
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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