How does US military build-up off Iran compare to the June 2025 strikes?

"The United States is intensifying a military build-up off Iran that experts say could be an indicator that Washington is planning to strike the country. The USS Abraham Lincoln, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is one of several military assets the US has deployed to the Arabian Sea in recent days. The US also deployed assets from around the world to the region during the 12-day Iran-Israel War in June last year, when Washington sided with its ally Israel and heavily bombed three Iranian nuclear sites."

"And later last year, the US stockpiled military assets in the Caribbean just weeks before launching a series of strikes on Venezuelan boats it claimed without proof were trafficking drugs to the US. Eventually, the US abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from Caracas in a military assault on January 3. Following mass protests in Iran from late December, when thousands took to the streets first to complain about the country's failing currency, but later on, demanding government change, Iranian security forces were accused of massacring demonstrators."

"The United Nations special rapporteur to Iran said at least 5,000 protesters were killed, while thousands have been detained. US President Donald Trump seized on the opportunity to lambast Iran's clerical leaders, telling demonstrators that help is on its way, and threatening military action if Iran carried out executions of prisoners. Earlier this month, Trump dialled back his threats when, he said, the Iranian government assured him there would be no executions."

The United States is intensifying a military build-up off Iran, with the USS Abraham Lincoln among assets deployed to the Arabian Sea. Analysts say such deployments could indicate planning for strikes. The US previously moved assets during the 12-day Iran-Israel War in June and heavily bombed three Iranian nuclear sites. The US also reportedly stockpiled forces in the Caribbean before strikes on Venezuelan boats and an alleged abduction of President Nicolas Maduro. Mass protests in Iran in late December led to accusations that security forces massacred demonstrators, with a UN rapporteur reporting at least 5,000 killed and thousands detained. President Donald Trump publicly threatened Iran, later moderating his stance, and unusual deployments combined with rhetoric have prompted warnings that strikes could be imminent.

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