Washington, D.C.: The United States has deployed additional warplanes to the Middle East as tensions with Iran rising, the Pentagon announced on Tuesday. This move comes amid an ongoing U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen and growing concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The Pentagon did not disclose the specific aircraft deployed or their exact locations. However, U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed that up to six B-2 stealth bombers have been relocated to Diego Garcia, a U.S.-British military base in the Indian Ocean. These bombers, capable of carrying nuclear weapons and the 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, are positioned within striking distance of Iran.
In addition to the B-2 deployment, the U.S. is also shifting air defense capabilities from Asia to the Middle East and is set to have two aircraft carriers in the region soon.
Why is the U.S. sending more warplanes?
The move is meant to deter threats from Iran and its allied groups in the region.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell warned that any threats to American personnel or interests would be met with “decisive action.”
What is Iran’s response?
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that the U.S. would face a “strong blow” if it followed through with its threats. A top Iranian military official, Amirali Hajizadeh, cautioned that U.S. bases in the Middle East are vulnerable, saying, “They are in a glass house and should not throw stones.”
Background on U.S.-Iran Tensions
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have been escalating since Trump withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions. Since then, Iran has exceeded the agreement’s limits on uranium enrichment, raising Western concerns that it is developing nuclear weapons—an accusation Tehran denies, insisting its program is for civilian energy purposes.
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