A former senior Pentagon official has asserted that the U.S. is prepared for a “highly kinetic” campaign against Iran, having undertaken one of its most substantial recent military buildups.
The individual, now research director at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, offered this assessment on Sunday, coinciding with preparations in Washington and Tehran for a second round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Oman.
“The U.S. military stands ready for a sustained, highly kinetic campaign if President Trump issues the order, and is also prepared to safeguard allies and partners in the Middle East from Iranian missiles,” Stroul informed Digital.
She further stated that “the U.S. military possesses the capability to swiftly reposition assets globally and deploy overwhelmingly lethal force to a single theater within a brief timeframe.” She then highlighted how there is “no ally or enemy capable of what we have seen from the U.S. in this .”
Stroul explained that the current military stance differs from the June 2025 strikes on Iranian-linked nuclear targets, noting that the U.S. has enhanced both its offensive and defensive capabilities.
She clarified that “two U.S. aircraft carriers, along with their escort vessels and air wings, were deployed in the Middle East last summer during the 12-day conflict and the U.S. operation Midnight Hammer.”
She remarked that “the inclusion of the Ford is highly significant, as it augments U.S. offensive capabilities should a conflict with Iran arise.”
Stroul indicated that while in June 2025, the U.S. conducted limited yet highly targeted strikes against Iranian nuclear infrastructure to degrade critical facilities without initiating a regional war, the current force posture is now more extensive and enduring.
She further explained that the U.S. has also “augmented the number of guided-missile destroyers, fighter aircraft, refuelers, and air defense systems” deployed in the region.
The deployment of such as the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln has assumed heightened strategic importance.
The USS Gerald R. Ford was recently observed moving eastward through the Strait of Gibraltar, concurrently with the USS Abraham Lincoln’s operations in the Arabian Sea.
Stroul clarified that “both will be within the Middle East CENTCOM theater,” adding that “one could be in the eastern Mediterranean and the other in the Arabian Gulf.”
“There would probably be a combination of reasons for that based on availability, readiness, proximity to the Middle East.
” and directed to turn around,” she added.
Although the precise destinations of these carriers have not been publicly revealed due to operational security concerns, their mere presence signifies escalatory leverage and deterrence.
This military buildup coincides with ongoing indirect diplomatic discussions between Washington and Tehran, with Oman again facilitating as a mediator on February 26.
Stroul contended that is attempting to balance brinkmanship with negotiation.
She claimed that “Iran’s leaders are playing a weak hand by combining saber-rattling regarding their own capabilities with staging preparations and exercises to signal readiness.”
Stroul stated, “They are attempting to slow this down by . No one should harbor any illusions about the reality of U.S. dominance — Iran is entirely outmatched in conventional terms.”
Stroul noted that “Israel asserted control over Iranian airspace in a single day last year, targeted numerous Iranian security leaders, neutralized half of its missile arsenal, and the U.S. substantially impeded its nuclear program.”
Iran’s long-cultivated network of proxies across the region — including , and elements in Syria — has also been weakened after sustained Israeli military pressure.
Stroul explained that “Iran’s extensively developed network of proxies across the region has been degraded following over two years of Israeli operations, and these proxies opted not to engage in the conflict or support Iran’s defense last summer.”
“No matter what Iran’s leaders say, Iran is not able to rebuild a decades-long project in a few months.”
She concluded, “That said, the U.S. military is capable of executing any orders President Trump issues. It is not a matter of military readiness, but rather a political decision.”