Locked and Ready: Why the US Isn’t Waiting for the Gerald Ford to Strike Iran

The Middle East has entered a period of unprecedented tension as senior Israeli officials confirm that the United States military is now "locked and ready" for a wide-scale war against the Iranian regime. Despite public focus on the movement of the USS Gerald R. Ford, sources have informed the press that the American administration possesses sufficient naval and air assets already in the region to begin a very large-scale attack immediately. These forces include a significant number of naval and air assets, some of which have not yet been publicly disclosed, creating a silent but lethal perimeter around Iranian territory. While President Trump continues to hold court at the "Board of Peace" in Washington, the reality on the ground suggests that the window for diplomacy is being replaced by a massive, coordinate military posture.

The Armada in Position

The sheer scale of the American buildup, which President Trump has referred to as his "beautiful armada," is the largest seen in the region in over twenty years. This force includes hundreds of fighter jets, more than ten major warships, and nuclear-powered submarines that are already in their designated attack and defense positions across the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean. Israeli officials believe that the coming days will be critical, warning that "if there is further delay, Trump may back off from the idea of an attack." The urgency is driven by intelligence suggesting that Iran is merely trying to buy time to develop ballistic missiles that threaten not only Israel but the entirety of Europe.

Quiet Preparations for "Hour S"

In Jerusalem, the security establishment is operating under the assumption that an American strike is closer than any diplomatic agreement. Consequently, an accelerated process is underway to prepare the Israeli home front for the inevitable retaliation. Quiet operational preparations, reminiscent of "Operation Rising Lion," are being conducted behind the scenes to ensure that the IDF can defend against the "Ayatollahs" if they launch a counter-attack. While the public is not being exposed to the full details of the timing to prevent leaks, the deployment of numerous air defense systems across the Middle East indicates that the "Hour S" for a joint operation is approaching. As one senior official noted, the strategy is a "game of extremes," where Trump offers a path to peace with one hand while holding a massive military hammer in the other.