19 Feb 2026

American military buildup in Middle East - is war imminent?

From Nights, 8:10 pm on 19 February 2026

War between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States seems closer than ever, with an American military buildup underway in the Middle East.

Reports indicate President Donald Trump has deployed enough air and naval forces to the region to launch an attack in the coming days. However, his administration maintains the president is still seeking a diplomatic solution. So could this be the beginning of the end for the Islamic Republic after nearly 50 years?

Many Iranian New Zealanders, including Auckland lawyer Samira Taghavi, hope so. She speaks to Emile Donovan.

In this photo obtained from the US Department of Defense, the US Navy's aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE) transits the Strait of Hormuz on November 26, 2023. The United States said on November 29 that an Iranian drone flew dangerously close to the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier the day before. The Eisenhower is the centerpiece of one of two carrier strike groups deployed as part of US efforts to deter Iran and its proxy forces in the Middle East from escalating the Israel-Hamas war into a broader regional conflict. (Photo by Ruskin Naval / US Department of Defense / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / US Department of Defense/US Navy" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Photo: AFP / US Department of Defence / US Navy