American F-22 stealth fighter jets, which departed from the United Kingdom earlier today, landed at an Israeli Air Force base in southern Israel, Israeli media reported on Tuesday, claiming that the total number of US aircraft deployed to the country is 12. According to the reports, the US fighters deployed in Israel are intended to help intercept missiles and drones launched by Iran in case the United States decides to mount a military operation against this Middle Eastern country. The US has been building up its military assets in the Middle East in recent weeks as President Donald Trump weighs whether to take military action against Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed that a nuclear deal with Washington is possible if “diplomacy is given priority.”