Get to know the size of the American military hardware in the region with the possibility of striking Iran

SadaNews - The American aircraft carrier "Gerald Ford", the largest in the world, entered the Mediterranean Sea on Friday, a move that would enhance American military power amid an intensified military deployment ordered by President Donald Trump, signaling the possibility of a strike on Iran.

Here is an overview of the key American military hardware deployed in the Middle East or nearby.

Ships

Washington is currently deploying 13 warships in the Middle East: the aircraft carrier "USS Abraham Lincoln", nine destroyers, and three coastal combat ships, according to an American official.

The aircraft carrier "Gerald Ford" was seen crossing the Strait of Gibraltar towards the Mediterranean Sea in a photograph taken on Friday, accompanied by three destroyers. Upon its arrival at its location, the number of American warships in the Middle East will rise to 17.

The two American aircraft carriers have crews of thousands of sailors and air wings consisting of dozens of warplanes.

It is rare to see two large warships of this type in the Middle East at the same time.

Aircraft

In addition to the aircraft on aircraft carriers, the United States has sent dozens of other warplanes to the Middle East, according to open-source intelligence reports on the "X" platform and the flight tracking site "Flight Radar 24" and media reports.

These include fighter jets such as the "F-22 Raptor" and "F-35 Lightning", as well as warplanes like the "F-15" and "F-16" and aerial refueling aircraft like the "KC-135".

Air Defense Systems

The U.S. has also bolstered its ground air defenses in the Middle East, while destroyers equipped with guided missiles in the area provide naval air defense capabilities.

American Forces in Bases

While ground forces are not expected to participate in offensive action against Iran, the United States has deployed tens of thousands of military personnel at bases in the Middle East, exposed to the risk of a counterattack.

Tehran has launched missiles at the American base at Al Udeid in Qatar.

However, air defenses intercepted them. This came after Washington struck three Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025 during a 12-day war that erupted following a surprise attack by Israel on Iran.