WhatsappA rapid buildup of American military assets in the Middle East is signaling a sharp escalation in U.S. preparations for a potential strike on Iran, according to multiple open-source intelligence reports.
OSINT tracking indicates the arrival of the RC-135W Rivet Joint, the U.S. Army and Air Force’s premier strategic signals-intelligence platform. The Rivet Joint is a rare, high-value asset—only a limited number exist—and is typically deployed when Washington is actively constructing a real-time intelligence picture ahead of, or during, major military operations. Its presence strongly suggests that the United States has entered an advanced phase of intelligence collection focused on Iranian military infrastructure and command networks.
In parallel, reports confirm the deployment of the TC-135W Stratolifter to the region. The aircraft is used to train U.S. pilots, navigators, and signals-intelligence operators, indicating preparation not just for surveillance, but for sustained operational tempo.
Satellite imagery has also revealed the deployment of additional Patriot missile battery units at a U.S. Air Force base in Qatar. The move strengthens American air and missile defenses against potential Iranian retaliation, particularly from ballistic missiles or drones.
Taken together, these developments point to what military planners describe as the “picture-building phase”—the intensive intelligence-gathering period required to identify, validate, and prioritize strike targets should President Donald Trump authorize military action against Iran.
Tehran is already responding rhetorically. The deputy commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Navy has openly warned that Iran could move to close the Strait of Hormuz in the event of war. Iranian state-aligned media amplified the threat, with Fars News Agency claiming Iran holds “absolute control” over the waters, seabed, and airspace of the strait.
The stakes are global. Roughly 37 percent of the world’s seaborne oil trade—about 21 million barrels per day—passes through Hormuz. Any disruption would send immediate shockwaves through energy markets and the global economy.
As intelligence assets continue to flow into the region and Iranian threats escalate, the trajectory is becoming clearer: preparations for a possible U.S. strike are no longer theoretical. They are active, deliberate, and accelerating.
