{"id":323326,"date":"2026-02-19T06:20:58","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T06:20:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/?p=323326"},"modified":"2026-02-21T06:44:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T06:44:48","slug":"final-pieces-moving-into-place-for-potential-attack-on-iran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/?p=323326","title":{"rendered":"Final Pieces Moving Into Place For Potential Attack On Iran"},"content":{"rendered":"

Howard Altman \u2013 The War Zone Feb 17, 2026<\/strong><\/h1>\n

A large wave of American airpower is heading toward the Middle East to bolster forces already there<\/a> as U.S. President Donald Trump considers an attack against Iran<\/a>. Online flight trackers are showing F-22 Raptors<\/a>, F-16 Fighting Falcons<\/a>, E-3 Sentry<\/a> radar planes and a U-2 Dragon Lady<\/a> spy plane either in transit across the Atlantic or newly arrived in Europe. In addition, a seventh Arleigh Burke<\/em> class guided missile destroyer, the USS Pinckney<\/em>, has recently deployed to the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility (AOR) as well, a U.S. Navy official told us.<\/p>\n

While we don\u2019t know whether Trump will decide to attack Iran, these are exactly the movements we\u2019ve been expecting, but so far not seeing<\/a>, in advance of a sustained operation, both defensive and offensive. The U.S. aircraft heading east represents the most intense phase of a force plus-up that began after Trump started threatening Iran<\/a> over its harsh treatment of anti-regime protesters<\/a>. Taken together, the force now assembling in the Middle East, combined with the Israel Air Force\u2019s capabilities, including hundreds of fighter aircraft, as well as USAF \u2018global airpower\u2019 bomber flights, would be enough for a major operation that could last weeks not days. We will likely see additional assets deploy in the coming days.<\/p>\n

This intensifying buildup comes against the backdrop of another round of peace negotiations<\/a> between Washington and Tehran that wrapped up Tuesday morning Eastern Time with future discussions being planned<\/a>. You can read more about that later in this story.<\/p>\n

Online flight tracking data shows that at least a dozen F-22s have left Langley Air Force Base in Virginia at about 5 a.m. Eastern, heading east. Their first destination is most likely Lakenheath Air Base in the U.K., a major transit hub for aircraft moving between the U.S. and Middle East. However, we don\u2019t know that for sure and CENTCOM has declined to talk about aircraft, ship and troop movements.<\/p>\n

F-22s are primarily America\u2019s most capable air-to-air fighter, but they can also be used to destroy enemy air defenses and strike other ground targets. Raptors helped protect B-2A Spirit stealth bombers <\/a>during last June\u2019s Operation Midnight Hammer<\/a> attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. It should be noted that four days before Midnight Hammer, F-22s made a similar transit across the Atlantic and took part in the mission.<\/p>\n

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KC-46 #ROMA02<\/a>-03 & KC-135 #ROMA04<\/a> are heading across the pond on Coronet East 033 with #TREND51<\/a> flt (x6 F-22), which are en route to RAF Lakenheath from Langley AFB. KC-46 #ROMA01<\/a> supported the initial drag. pic.twitter.com\/Dwk0kw4V1B<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 EISNspotter (@EISNspotter) February 17, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n