A growing number of reports as of February 2026 indicate a significant buildup of US special forces, including Delta Force units, in areas surrounding Iran. This deployment comes amid peak regional tensions and mounting concerns over a potential wide-scale military escalation involving Tehran.
SITUATION OVERVIEW
Northeastern front and Central Asia (Azerbaijan and Kurdistan)
Tracking data shows a US Air Force MC-130J Commando II aircraft—used for special operations infiltration, resupply, and covert missions—flew from the UK to Baku, Azerbaijan, in late January 2026. The aircraft reportedly followed an indirect route with transponders switched off, suggesting the discreet positioning of personnel or sensitive equipment near Iran’s northern border.
In northern Iraq, particularly around Erbil, reports point to the deployment of the US 101st Airborne Division. This provides rapid air-assault capabilities close to Iranian territory, enabling swift action if escalation occurs.
