The Pentagon is ramping up military aircraft deployments to the Middle East as US-Iran tensions enter a dangerous new phase. A US official confirmed the buildup, though ammunition shortages and equipment damage could cap the scope of expanded operations.
For crypto investors, the escalation matters for two reasons: it’s fueling a classic risk-off rotation out of digital assets, and the US government is simultaneously tightening the sanctions noose around Iran’s crypto infrastructure.
From ceasefire to full escalation
The current situation is the product of a rapid unraveling. Operation Epic Fury launched on February 28, 2026, with nearly 900 airstrikes that ultimately killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. A fragile memorandum of understanding emerged in June, offering a brief window of de-escalation.
That window slammed shut on July 6-7, when Iranian forces attacked three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The US responded with over 140 military strikes targeting Iranian coastal assets. President Trump declared the ceasefire null, reimposed sanctions on Iranian oil exports, and ordered aggressive retaliation against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
