Is the US preparing to strike Iran's nuclear sites? - Trump orders buildup of military forces in Middle East

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Monday that he has “directed the deployment of additional capabilities to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility” as Israel and Iran continue to trade blows. 

While Secretary Hegseth remarked that the buildup is about protecting U.S. forces, some analysts are questioning whether the move could also indicate a U.S. willingness to join an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities in the coming days or an attempt to force Iran back to the negotiating table by a show of strength. 

pic.twitter.com/TMb47DQMVZ

— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) June 16, 2025

While Secretary Hegseth did not state which additional forces were being deployed, Politico reported that the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier has been rerouted from the South China Sea to the Middle East. 

The Nimitz will join the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group, which has been in the Arabian Sea since earlier this year, after participating in the strikes on the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The move comes after the U.S. also deployed dozens of U.S. Air Force KC-135 and KC-46 aerial refueling aircraft to Europe, from which they could support either the Israeli Air Force in its operations in Iran, or a future U.S. military strike against Iran. 

The refueling aircraft, called tankers, are a critical asset in the successful projection of air power in a military theater, as fighter jets often do not have enough fuel reserves for longer bombing raids, and must refuel in air to reach their targets. 

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro posted a comment to 𝕏, saying that the deployment of forces to the Middle East doesn’t mean that President Donald Trump has decided to join the conflict in Iran, but indicates he is preparing that option. 

Trump's assembling the forces necessary to do the Fordow strike. Tankers, fighters, & the 2nd carrier. Doesn't mean he has made the decision to do it but he's giving himself the option. Key Q: Can that be leveraged to get a major Iranian concession that preempts the need for it?

— Dan Shapiro (@DanielBShapiro) June 17, 2025

While at the G7 conference in Canada, President Trump said that Iran should have made a deal when they had the chance. 

.@POTUS: "I'd say Iran is not winning this war. They should talk — and they should talk immediately before it's too late." pic.twitter.com/GxtFTdjZgr

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 16, 2025

Responding to a question, asking what he has heard from the Iranians, Trump said, “They’d like to talk, but they should have done that before.” 

Trump left the G7 summit early, saying, “ I have to be back, very important.” 

“You probably see what I see and I have to be back as soon as I can,” Trump continued. “I'm going to have dinner with these wonderful leaders and then I get on a plane, I have to be back early.”

"I wish I could stay for tomorrow, but they understand this, it's big stuff," the president added. 

Trump also appeared to signal a major escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict, without confirming U.S. involvement. 

In a post to his Truth Social media platform, Trump advised residents of Tehran to leave immediately. 

“Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign,” Trump wrote. “What a shame, and waste of human life. Simple stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON! I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” 

After leaving the G7 summit, Trump also said, in response to a comment by French President Emmanuel Macron, that he was not working on a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. 

Trump said his return “has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that.” 

Military analysts have speculated about possible U.S. involvement in the conflict, as Israel does not possess the large bunker-buster bombs that would be needed to penetrate Iran’s underground nuclear facilities.