U.S. military aircraft activity has sharply increased at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, with tankers, bombers, and F-35 fighters now positioned within range of Iran. The buildup lines up with Trump’s latest comments, which suggest any negotiations with Tehran would come after decisive action, not before. The message reads less like diplomacy and more like a warning shot. Taken together, the force posture and rhetoric point to preparations for a large-scale air campaign, or at minimum a credible strike option, as Washington signals it’s done waiting while Iran’s crackdown and threats escalate.
