Trump Sets Two-Week Clock on Iran as U.S. Expands Air and Naval Presence

The United States has sharply accelerated visible military movements toward the Middle East in recent days, as a diplomatic clock begins ticking on Iran. The convergence of renewed operational activity and a defined decision window has heightened attention in Israel, though officials stress there is no specific forecast for military action.

According to reporting by Axios, U.S. officials are expecting Iran to return with a detailed proposal within roughly two weeks as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts. While both sides have publicly described recent contacts as making progress, American officials are said to view the remaining gaps as significant. 

At the same time, the U.S. military posture has shifted from steady reinforcement to visible acceleration.

The Washington Post already reported that the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford departed the Caribbean and is heading toward the Middle East. It is expected to join the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, which has already been operating in the region. The redeployment marks a concrete movement of a second carrier into the theater, rather than a preparatory order.

Beyond naval forces, open-source flight-tracking data over the past 24 to 48 hours indicate an unusually large wave of U.S. military aircraft crossing the Atlantic toward Europe and onward to the Middle East. Analysts monitoring publicly available tracking information have identified long-range fighter aircraft deployments accompanied by significant numbers of aerial refueling planes.

The surge in tanker aircraft is viewed by analysts as operationally notable, as sustained refueling capacity would be essential for extended-range strike missions. Additional airborne early warning and support aircraft have also been observed repositioning. Heavy transport aircraft have reportedly been conducting repeated logistics flights, moving equipment and munitions to regional bases.

While the U.S. Department of Defense has not publicly detailed the scope of these movements, open-source analysts describe the pace and coordination of recent transfers as unusual compared to previous posture adjustments over the past two months.

Inside Israel, the heightened reporting has triggered public concern. Israel’s Home Front Command has received hundreds of calls from citizens seeking clarification amid speculation about a possible strike.

Former IDF Military Intelligence chief Amos Yadlin addressed the growing anxiety after comments he made during a morning television interview were interpreted by some as implying an imminent timeline.

“I presented a model with six parameters that raise the probability of a strike in Iran,” Yadlin wrote on X, listing factors such as the convening of the Peace Council, the conclusion of the Winter Olympics, the approach of the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford, the absence of renewed talks within two weeks, renewed protests in Iran, and suitable weather conditions. “Bottom line: my model shows the situation is heating up without a specific forecast for any particular day.”

Separately, reports circulated suggesting emergency preparations at Schneider Children’s Medical Center. The hospital denied the claims, stating, “The announcement did not come from the hospital and no instruction was given to change the alert level.”