In recent days, increasingly intensive military activity by NATO member states has been observed across the Middle East.
NATO’s activity is not taking place directly opposite Iranian territory, but rather in the strategic rear of US forces preparing for a potential confrontation with Iran. Fighter aircraft and air-defense batteries arriving on direct flights from mainland Europe are being deployed in Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
According to military analysts, the major European powers — United Kingdom, France, and Germany — are effectively establishing a defensive “firewall” across Jordan and the Gulf states. This deployment is described as purely defensive in nature.
In Jordan, Tornado and Rafale fighter jets have landed. Their mission appears to go beyond protecting Jordanian airspace alone. They are expected to participate in intercepting any large-scale Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel, similar to the events of April 2024. NATO aircraft involvement in defending Israel’s skies would allow Israel to free up critical air assets for direct combat operations against Iran alongside US strike aircraft.
