As tensions with Iran soar, the United States moved additional military assets to the Middle East. These newly added reinforcements mostly consist of warplanes, including B-2 Stealth Bombers, that have the capability to evade radars.
On Tuesday, the Pentagon reported that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dispatched more warplanes to the Middle East in a bid to reinforce US military capabilities in the region. These developments take place even as the US conducts bombing raids in Yemen over the past two weeks and above, along with rising tensions with Iran.
These recent deployments have particularly caught the eye due to the inclusion of B-2 bombers in it. According to US officials, nearly six B-2 bombers have relocated in the past week or so to the US-British military base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia.
US stealth bombers in the Indian Ocean
According to US officials who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, nearly six B-2 bombers have relocated in the past week or so to a US-British military base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. As per experts, these bombers are capable of dropping the heaviest of US bombs, including nuclear weapons.
ALSO READ: Accept or ‘there will be bombing’: Trump warns Iran over nuclear deal
Also, they are stealthy in design, making it hard to detect them using radar systems. Expert also say that the recent deployment location of these bombers in the Indian Ocean offers them an ideal position to operate in the Middle East. The US military’s strategic command, however, has refused to give any information on how many of these bombers have reached Diego Garcia, stating that it does not comment on exercises or operations involving the B-2.
Iran and its proxies on US military’s crosshair
As per Pentagon, these deployments are made to keep Iran and it’s proxies in the region in check. “Should Iran or its proxies threaten American personnel and interests in the region, the United States will take decisive action to defend our people,” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement.
But some experts argue that the use of the B-2 is an overkill because there aren’t any targets that are buried that deep. However, the B-2 is equipped to carry America’s most potent bomb — the 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator. That is the weapon that experts say could be used to strike Iran’s nuclear program.
ALSO READ: ‘I think he’s amazing, but…’: Trump confirms Elon Musk will quit DOGE
The plans include large-scale evacuations of the population, according to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. There are only 20 B-2 bombers in the Air Force’s inventory so they are usually used sparingly.
Donald Trump’s threat to Iran and it’s response by Ayatollah
US President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened Iran with bombing and secondary tariffs if Tehran did not come to an agreement with Washington over its nuclear program. following which Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday the US would receive a strong blow if Trump followed through with his threats.
The Revolutionary Guards Aerospace Commander Amirali Hajizadeh also added on this response saying that US forces in the Middle East are stationed in a glass house and hence they “should not throw stones on others.”
Donald Trump had previously pulled the US out from a 2015 deal between Iran and world powers in his first tenure that placed strict limits on Tehran’s disputed nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump also reimposed sweeping US sanctions.
Ever since, Iran has far surpassed that deal’s limits on uranium enrichment, which has invited accusations from Western powers, who accuse Iran of having a secret agenda to develop nuclear weapons capability by enriching uranium to a high level of fissile purity, above what they say is justifiable for a civilian atomic energy program. Tehran has thus far maintained it’s official stance that its nuclear program is wholly for civilian energy purposes.
