US continues to bolster Mideast troops, Israeli military remains alert as Iran strikes remain ‘on the table’

The U.S. continues to bolster its military presence in the Middle East, as Israel estimates that an American attack against the Iranian regime is still possible despite President Donald Trump’s apparent decision to postpone a planned strike last Wednesday. 

The news outlet Axios reported on Sunday that officials in Washington and the Middle East had been convinced that an American strike on Iran was a matter of hours away, before it was called off. 

U.S. officials told the Jerusalem Post that “all options are now on the table” and the U.S. aims to build up a force in the region that will enable Trump all necessary options to strike Iran effectively. 

The center piece of this force is the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group, including two destroyers, which reportedly crossed the Strait of Malacca between Malaysia and Indonesia and is expected to arrive in the Persian Gulf region next weekend, according to Israel’s Army Radio. 

In addition, 12 F-15 fighter jets were reportedly deployed to Jordan, while Israel’s Channel 12 News said that transport aircraft had carried new Patriot batteries to bases in the Gulf region to defend them against possible Iranian strikes. 

Cargo planes also reportedly landed at the U.S. military base in Diego Garcia, in the Indian Ocean. 

U.S. officials told the Post on Sunday that the American buildup is set to be completed within 5-6 days, possibly coinciding with the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln. 

Meanwhile, the Israeli military continued its high alert, while staying in close contact with the U.S. military. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir has spoken with the commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Admiral Brad Cooper, several times over the past week, according to Channel 12. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also convened a high-level security meeting on Sunday to discuss recent developments. The New York Times had reported last week that Israel was among several nations requesting that Trump postpone the attack on Iran, citing concerns that the Israeli military was not ready to defend the country in the event of a broad escalation. 

שלושה מטוסי ״אדיר״ (F-35i) חדשים נחתו בבסיס נבטים

שלושה מטוסי קרב מסוג F-35i “אדיר”, מתוצרת חברת לוקהיד מרטין, נחתו היום בבסיס חיל האוויר נבטים. המטוסים ייקלטו בטייסת “אריות הדרום” (טייסת 116) ובטייסת “נשר הזהב” (טייסת 140). על גבי המטוסים הוטבע סמל חיל האוויר.

מאז פרוץ המלחמה… pic.twitter.com/X0P54ifayn

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) January 18, 2026

Responding to these concerns about Israel’s interceptor stockpiles on Sunday, the CEO of Israel’s Aerospace Industries, Boaz Levy, told Reshet Bet Radio that “there is no shortage of Arrow 3 interceptors,” emphasizing that Israel is prepared for any scenario. 

Channel 12 reported that the IDF has maintained its high alert level, spending the past few days with reinforcements to its air defense array and improving its strike capabilities. On Sunday, three new F-35i “Adir” fighter jets landed at Nevatim Air Force Base, bolstering Israel’s fleet of the U.S.-produced stealth fighters. 

The IDF noted that “Since the outbreak of the war, the ‘Adir’ fleet has been operating continuously across a wide range of defensive and offensive missions in all arenas of combat... Israel recognizes the importance of its defense partnership with the United States, stemming from a commitment to strengthening stability in the Middle East.”