Strikes on Iran could last for weeks as more F-35s fly into the region, US says
US Air Force F-35s have been leaving RAF Lakenheath, believed to be heading to the Middle East, as tensions continue to escalate in the region.
Up to 18 of the fifth-generation fighter jets are thought to have been deployed to the region from the UK.
Speaking to Reuters, two unnamed US officials said that any strikes on Iran could last for weeks if negotiations fail.
And President Donald Trump, speaking after a visit to Fort Bragg, said regime change is "the best thing that could happen".
Mr Trump also confirmed another carrier is on route. This is believed to be USS Gerald R Ford, which has been operating in the Caribbean and has already been deployed for eight months.
After crossing the Atlantic, the carrier could remain in the Eastern Mediterranean, which is geographically closer to Tehran than the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group in the Arabian Sea.
The Gerald R Ford strike group brings in it another three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. This would mean at least four destroyers in the Eastern Mediterranean, plus another in the northern Red Sea, and five more in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.
These ships carry Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles, plus their Standard Mark 3 air defence system can destroy ballistic missiles outside the Earth's atmosphere.
They could be vital if Iran starts launching missiles at Israel or other allies. The carriers may also be required if countries in the region do not allow their airspace to be used.
If both carriers deploy to the Arabian Sea, one could then transit the Strait of Hormuz and enter the Persian Gulf.
Aircraft carriers usually want lots of open sea around them to increase reaction time to missile threats, but US carriers do occasionally enter the Persian Gulf, which would put them much closer to the Iranian capital.
The US will also have an unknown number of attack submarines in the area. Each one carries more than 100 cruise missiles and could be vital for protecting against sub-surface threats from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.
The UK has also increased its presence in the region with six F-35 fighters flying to Cyprus, where the base also has additional air defence and counter-drone systems deployed.
The RAF also has additional Typhoons in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The Telegraph previously reported that an Astute-class submarine transited the Suez Canal on 7 February southwards on her way to Australia.
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