Monday, February 16, 2026-As diplomatic channels between the United States and Iran remain active — including recent talks in Oman aimed at reviving negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program — the Pentagon is simultaneously preparing for the stark possibility of sustained military conflict. U.S. defense planners are reportedly readying forces for prolonged operations that could last weeks if President Donald Trump orders action, raising the stakes for both negotiators and military strategists.
The military buildup gripping the Middle East is unmistakable — a second aircraft carrier strike group is being prepared to join forces already stationed in the region, including the USS Abraham Lincoln and other strike-ready naval assets. Ground support, fighter squadrons, guided-missile destroyers, and additional troops are poised in nearby bases across Gulf states, signaling that Washington wants credible force options on the table even as diplomacy continues.
This dual-track approach — talks at the negotiating table and force posture on the ground — underscores the urgency of the moment. Officials stress that military planning reflects strategic caution, not inevitability, but the potential scope of operations hinted at by Pentagon sources suggests that any breakdown in diplomacy could rapidly escalate into a broader regional conflict. With global markets, regional allies, and millions of civilians watching closely, the coming days may prove decisive in determining whether negotiations prevail or if war plans proceed.
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