The US president has said a large naval contingent is heading to the region after promising help to protesters in the Middle Eastern country

American military assets - including an aircraft carrier, warplanes, and air-defense systems - are massing in the Middle East after US President Donald Trump promised that "help is on its way" to protesters in Iran.

The military buildup comes as Iran has been shaken by widespread violent protests, triggered by economic hardship, persistent inflation and a sharp dive in the value of the Iranian rial, as well as power shortages. Iranian officials have blamed the unrest on the US and Israeli interference and put the death toll at more than 3,000 people, including nearly 700 "terrorists."

Trump later escalated the rhetoric, saying on Monday that "a big armada" was moving toward the region and was now close to Iran. Earlier media reports said the US president had been close to approving military strikes against Iran earlier this month but was dissuaded by several of Washington's Middle East partners.

Iran has warned that it would regard any US attack as an act of "all-out war."

Here is what we know about US forces redeployed to the Middle East.

'Armada' on the move

The core of the US military presence in the region now consists of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers redeployed from the Asia-Pacific region. The carrier can operate up to 90 aircraft, including F-35 and F/A-18 fighters, as well as EA-18G Growler electronic-warfare jets. According to the Wall Street Journal, the three accompanying destroyers could launch long-range Tomahawk missiles, among other weapons.

In addition, the US has redeployed F-15E Strike Eagle squadrons from bases in Britain to the region, with some reports saying they are operating from Jordan.

Bracing for Iranian retaliation

On the defensive side, the US is also moving Patriot and THAAD air-defense systems into the region, intended to protect American military facilities and Washington's partners. Media reports also indicated that Washington has redeployed cargo planes and refueling tankers to support any operation.

Who and what is in the crosshairs?

According to a report by Middle East Eye, the US is considering targeting "high-value" Iranian officials and military commanders it believes to be responsible for the deaths of demonstrators.

During the 12-day war in the summer 2025, the US and Israel targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, its air defense and missile capabilities, as well as prominent military leaders and nuclear scientists.

Israel on high alert

Israel - a key US ally in the region - has said it is preparing to repel potential Iranian strikes.

The Israeli military fields the Iron Dome air-defense system, as well as F-35 stealth fighters and other strike aircraft capable of rapid response.

Potential backlash from Iran

The Iranian government has warned that any attack on the country would be seen as an "all-out war," adding that its forces have their "finger on the trigger." Tehran fields a substantial long-range drone fleet, as well as a large arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles capable of striking targets across the Middle East, including US bases and allied infrastructure.