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AsiaOne
2 hours ago
- Politics
- AsiaOne
US bolsters Trump's Middle East military options by moving refuelling aircraft, officials say, World News
WASHINGTON — The US military has moved a large number of refuelling aircraft to Europe to provide options to President Donald Trump as Middle East tensions erupt into conflict between Iran and Israel, two US officials told Reuters on Monday (June 16), speaking on condition of anonymity. The officials also said the US aircraft carrier Nimitz was heading to the Middle East, in what one of them said was a pre-planned deployment. The Nimitz can hold 5,000 personnel and more than 60 aircraft, including fighter jets. Taken together, the deployments, which were first reported by Reuters, suggest the United States is greatly strengthening its air power for potentially sustained operations as Iran and Israel trade blows in unprecedented open warfare. Israel began bombing Iran on Friday, saying Tehran was on the verge of building a nuclear bomb. Since then, Iran and Israel have launched large salvos against each other, killing and wounding civilians and raising concerns about a broader regional conflict. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a post on X late on Monday, said he had ordered the deployment of additional defencive capabilities to the Middle East, but did not offer specifics. "Protecting US forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defencive posture in the region," Hegseth said in a post on social media platform X. AirNav systems, a flight tracking website, said more than 31 US Air Force refuelling aircraft — primarily KC-135s and KC-46s — left the United States on Sunday, heading east. The US officials declined to comment on the number of aircraft. The Pentagon referred Reuters to the White House, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "The sudden eastward deployment of over two dozen US Air Force tankers is not business as usual. It's a clear signal of strategic readiness," said Eric Schouten at Dyami Security Intelligence. "Whether it's about supporting Israel, preparing for long-range operations, logistics is key, this move shows the US is positioning itself for rapid escalation if tensions with Iran spill over." AirNav systems said the US military flights had landed in Europe, including at Ramstein air base in Germany and airports in the United Kingdom, Estonia, and Greece. The United States has been cautious so far, helping Israel knock down incoming missiles. Trump vetoed an Israeli plan in recent days to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, two US officials told Reuters on Sunday. One of them said the United States did not support going after Iran's political leadership, as long as Americans were not being targeted. Trump has lauded Israel's offencive and warned Tehran not to widen its retaliation to include US targets. A third US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, declined to comment on the tanker movement but stressed that US military activities in the region were defensive in nature. Another source familiar with the issue said the United States has told regional countries that it is making defencive preparations and would switch to offencive operations if Iran strikes any US facilities. The United States already has a sizeable force in the Middle East, with nearly 40,000 troops in the region, including air defence systems, fighter aircraft and warships that can help bring down missiles. Last month, the Pentagon replaced B-2 bombers with another type of bomber at a base in the Indo-Pacific that is seen as being an ideal location to operate in the Middle East. The B-52 bombers can carry large bunker-busting munitions, which experts say can be used against Iran's nuclear facilities. [[nid:719139]]
The Hill
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Hegseth orders ‘additional capabilities' to Middle East
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Monday that he has directed 'the deployment of additional capabilities' to the Middle East amid escalating tensions in the region. 'Protecting US forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in the region,' Hegseth said in a post to X. He did not name the additional capabilities, though earlier on Monday a U.S. official confirmed to NewsNation, The Hill's sister network, that the U.S. military has moved a large number of refueling tanker aircraft to Europe. The move is intended to 'provide options' to Trump amid the escalating tensions, the official added. Pentagon and White House officials have declined to say how many aircraft have been moved, but the flight tracking website AirNav systems counted more than 31 Air Force refueling aircraft such as KC-135s and KC-46s leaving the United States on Sunday and flying east. The military flights eventually landed at Ramstein air base in Germany and in the United Kingdom, Estonia, and Greece, according to the website. Multiple outlets also have reported that USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on its way to the Middle East as part of a pre-planned deployment – though the action has been expedited. The vessel is able to hold some 5,000 personnel and more than 60 aircraft, including fighter jets. The Pentagon and White House did not respond to questions from The Hill. The shifted U.S. military assets and personnel comes as the conflict between Israel and Iran has entered its fourth day, with both sides intensifying their assaults following Israel's initial strike on Tehran on Friday. Israel and Iran have taken part in tit-for-tat attacks, open warfare that Israeli officials have said could last 'weeks, not days' and threatens to spark a wider war in the Middle East. Israel last week moved forward with its strikes after accusing Iran of being on the verge of building a nuclear bomb. Since then, the two sides have traded large scale missile attacks back and forth in what has become the deadliest confrontation between the countries, with at least 24 people killed in Israel and more than 220 killed in Iran. White House and Israeli officials have said Israel began the strikes after approval from the U.S. – which has helped defend Israel from Iranian-fired missiles. But even as President Trump has voiced support for Israel, he appears wary of any U.S. involvement in its conflict. The president on Monday sidestepped a question as to what it would take for the U.S. military to get involved, telling reporters: 'I don't want to talk about that.' He also urged Tehran to return to talks with the U.S. over its nuclear program 'before it's too late.' 'They should talk, and they should talk immediately,' he said while attending an annual meeting of top western leaders in Canada. Trump a day prior on Sunday said the United States is not involved in Israel's strikes against Iran, but 'it's possible we could get involved.' He also has made clear Washington's support for Israel, warning that 'if we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before.' Israel, meanwhile, had reportedly urged Washington to help it in eliminating Iran's nuclear program, with its targets including energy installations, missile sites, nuclear infrastructure, command centers and Iran's state television station. 'We're not involved in it. It's possible we could get involved. But we are not at this moment involved,' Trump told ABC News' Rachel Scott. The U.S. military already has a large footprint in the Middle East, with nearly 40,000 troops, air defense systems, fighter aircraft and ships.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
US bolsters military options for Trump with refueling aircraft, officials say
The U.S. military has moved a large number of refueling aircraft to Europe to provide options to President Donald Trump as Middle East tensions soar, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity. AirNav systems, a flight tracking website, said that on Sunday evening more than 31 U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft -- primarily KC-135s and KC-45s -- left the United States, heading east. The officials declined to comment on the number of aircraft but said the U.S. aircraft carrier Nimitz was heading to the Middle East, in what one of them said was a pre-planned deployment. The Nimitz can hold 5,000 personnel and more than 60 aircraft, including fighter jets. Taken together, the deployments suggest the United States is greatly strengthening its air power for potentially sustained operations as Iran and Israel trade blows, in unprecedented open warfare that is seeing civilian casualties mount on both sides. "The sudden eastward deployment of over two dozen U.S. Air Force tankers is not business as usual. It's a clear signal of strategic readiness," said Eric Schouten at Dyami Security Intelligence. Live Events "Whether it's about supporting Israel, preparing for long-range operations, logistics is key, this move shows the U.S. is positioning itself for rapid escalation if tensions with Iran spill over." The United States has been cautious so far, helping Israel knock down incoming missiles. But Trump vetoed an Israeli plan in recent days to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Sunday. One of them said the United States did not support going after Iran's political leadership as long as Americans weren't being targeted. A third U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, declined to comment on the tanker movement but stressed that U.S. military activities in the region were defensive in nature. The Pentagon referred Reuters to the White House, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
US bolsters Trump's Middle East military options by moving refueling aircraft, officials say
U.S. President Donald Trump sits in the Oval Office at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard WASHINGTON - The U.S. military has moved a large number of refueling aircraft to Europe to provide options to President Donald Trump as Middle East tensions erupt into conflict between Iran and Israel, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity. The officials also said the U.S. aircraft carrier Nimitz was heading to the Middle East, in what one of them said was a pre-planned deployment. The Nimitz can hold 5,000 personnel and more than 60 aircraft, including fighter jets. Taken together, the deployments suggest the United States is greatly strengthening its air power for potentially sustained operations as Iran and Israel trade blows in unprecedented open warfare. Israel began bombing Iran on Friday, saying Tehran was on the verge of building a nuclear bomb. Since then, Iran and Israel have launched large salvos against each other, killing and wounding civilians and raising concerns about a broader regional conflict. AirNav systems, a flight tracking website, said more than 31 U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft - primarily KC-135s and KC-46s - left the United States on Sunday, heading east. The U.S. officials declined to comment on the number of aircraft. The Pentagon referred Reuters to the White House, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "The sudden eastward deployment of over two dozen U.S. Air Force tankers is not business as usual. It's a clear signal of strategic readiness," said Eric Schouten at Dyami Security Intelligence. "Whether it's about supporting Israel, preparing for long-range operations, logistics is key, this move shows the U.S. is positioning itself for rapid escalation if tensions with Iran spill over." AirNav systems said the U.S. military flights had landed in Europe, including at Ramstein air base in Germany and airports in the United Kingdom, Estonia, and Greece. The United States has been cautious so far, helping Israel knock down incoming missiles. Trump vetoed an Israeli plan in recent days to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Sunday. One of them said the United States did not support going after Iran's political leadership, as long as Americans were not being targeted. Trump has lauded Israel's offensive and warned Tehran not to widen its retaliation to include U.S. targets. A third U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, declined to comment on the tanker movement but stressed that U.S. military activities in the region were defensive in nature. Another source familiar with the issue said the United States has told regional countries that it is making defensive preparations and would switch to offensive operations if Iran strikes any U.S. facilities. The United States already has a sizeable force in the Middle East, with nearly 40,000 troops in the region, including air defense systems, fighter aircraft and warships that can help bring down missiles. Last month, the Pentagon replaced B-2 bombers with another type of bomber at a base in the Indo-Pacific that is seen as being an ideal location to operate in the Middle East. The B-52 bombers can carry large bunker-busting munitions, which experts say can be used against Iran's nuclear facilities. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
US bolsters military options for Trump with refueling aircraft, officials say
U.S. President Donald Trump sits in the Oval Office at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard US bolsters military options for Trump with refueling aircraft, officials say WASHINGTON - The U.S. military has moved a large number of refueling aircraft to Europe to provide options to President Donald Trump as Middle East tensions soar, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity. AirNav systems, a flight tracking website, said that on Sunday evening more than 31 U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft -- primarily KC-135s and KC-45s -- left the United States, heading east. The officials declined to comment on the number of aircraft but said the U.S. aircraft carrier Nimitz was heading to the Middle East, in what one of them said was a pre-planned deployment. The Nimitz can hold 5,000 personnel and more than 60 aircraft, including fighter jets. Taken together, the deployments suggest the United States is greatly strengthening its air power for potentially sustained operations as Iran and Israel trade blows, in unprecedented open warfare that is seeing civilian casualties mount on both sides. "The sudden eastward deployment of over two dozen U.S. Air Force tankers is not business as usual. It's a clear signal of strategic readiness," said Eric Schouten at Dyami Security Intelligence. "Whether it's about supporting Israel, preparing for long-range operations, logistics is key, this move shows the U.S. is positioning itself for rapid escalation if tensions with Iran spill over." The United States has been cautious so far, helping Israel knock down incoming missiles. But Trump vetoed an Israeli plan in recent days to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Sunday. One of them said the United States did not support going after Iran's political leadership as long as Americans weren't being targeted. A third U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, declined to comment on the tanker movement but stressed that U.S. military activities in the region were defensive in nature. The Pentagon referred Reuters to the White House, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
