Townhall Times, New Delhi
Reporter: Bhavika Kalra
If you think the “Cold War” is a thing of the past, look at the Persian Gulf today. In the last 24 hours, the US has pulled a move that hasn’t been seen in years—moving over 50 advanced fighter jets (F-35s, F-22s, and F-16s) into the region in one single burst.
This isn’t a training exercise; it’s a high-stakes poker game where the “chips” are stealth bombers and aircraft carriers.
1. The “Armada” in the Water
The US isn’t just using the air; they are surrounding the coast.
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The USS Abraham Lincoln: It’s been sitting in the Arabian Sea for three weeks, and earlier this month, one of its F-35s actually shot down an Iranian drone that got too close.
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The USS Gerald R. Ford: The world’s largest aircraft carrier is currently steaming through the Atlantic at full speed, heading straight for the Middle East to join the Lincoln. By next week, the US will have a “dual-carrier” presence—that’s a massive amount of firepower for a “diplomatic” mission.
2. Iran’s “Hormuz Lockdown”
Iran isn’t just sitting back. In a move that sent oil markets into a panic yesterday, Iran temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz for “live-fire drills.”
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The Chokepoint: 20% of the world’s oil goes through this tiny strip of water. By closing it, Iran is basically telling the world: “If you hit us, the global economy goes down with us.”
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The Warning: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei went on X (Twitter) today to tell President Trump that while the US military is strong, “even the strongest can be struck so hard they cannot get up again.” He’s essentially daring the US to test their new anti-ship missiles.
3. The “Geneva” Irony
The weirdest part of all this? While the jets are flying and the missiles are being readied, Abbas Araghchi (Iran’s FM) and Jared Kushner (Trump’s envoy) were just in Geneva yesterday.
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The “Progress”: Both sides actually said they reached a “general agreement” on the principles of a new nuclear deal.
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The “Maximum Pressure”: It’s a classic Trump-era tactic—negotiate with a pen in one hand and a B-2 bomber in the other. The US is using the military buildup to make sure Iran “remains reasonable” at the table.
4. Why is this happening NOW?
There are three things fueling this fire in February 2026:
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The June 2025 Ghost: Everyone is remembering the 12-day war from last June when the US and Israel hit Iranian nuclear sites. Neither side wants a repeat, but both are preparing for it.
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Domestic Protests: Iran is dealing with massive internal anti-government protests. The US has signaled it might intervene if the crackdown gets too violent, which has the Iranian leadership on high alert.
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Russia & China: Iran is starting joint naval drills with Russia in the Sea of Oman this Thursday. It’s their way of showing the US that they aren’t alone.
The Reality Check (Feb 18, 2026)
We are in a “Talk and Threat” cycle. The US sends 50 jets; Iran closes the Strait. The US moves a second carrier; Iran moves long-range missiles underground.
The hope? That the progress made in Geneva yesterday holds up before someone makes a mistake in the crowded airspace of the Gulf.
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