The United States has repositioned dozens of fighter jets to the Middle East within the past 24 hours, according to open-source flight tracking data, as Washington and Tehran conducted a second round of negotiations in Switzerland regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

The aircraft reportedly include F-22, F-35, and F-16 fighter jets, The Caspian Post reports, citing foreign media.

In addition, several aerial refueling tankers have been observed heading toward the region, based on information shared by social media accounts that monitor military flight activity.

#USAF United States Air Force - Middle East Activity (Coronet)
17 February - 1129z

There are currently 36x F-16s and 12x F-22s on the move, or about to depart towards the Middle East. 12x F-16s each from Aviano and Spangdahlem in Europe, and 12x from McEntire Joint National… https://t.co/5OsSSHZVp3 pic.twitter.com/eZGqbqvnyg

— Armchair Admiral 🇬🇧 (@ArmchairAdml) February 17, 2026

#USAF United States Air Force - Middle East Activity
17 February - 0930z

Total flights have risen to at least 176, with air force-related flights now being the majority. Flights from Spangdahlem, RAF Lakenheath and McEntire JNGB are headed to Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, and a… https://t.co/quNpdOQn9g pic.twitter.com/BSPkYhIUmG

— Armchair Admiral 🇬🇧 (@ArmchairAdml) February 17, 2026

A US official confirmed to Axios that more than 50 fighter jets have been transferred to the Middle East over the past day.

The negotiations in Geneva commenced amid a significant US military buildup in the region, which Trump has repeatedly threatened to use, first over a deadly crackdown on protesters last month and then more recently over Tehran’s nuclear program.