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Newsweek
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Update: Satellite Photo Shows U.S. Forces at Key Indian Ocean Base
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. New satellite imagery showed an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer stationed just north of Diego Garcia, the remote Indian Ocean island where the U.S. operates a key military base. Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) for comment. Why It Matters With a fragile situation in the Middle East, the U.S. is strengtening its military posture in key command areas, deploying warplanes and ships to reinforce deterrence and be preapred for any attack. The constant reinforcements underscore the base's strategic role in responding to major threats from Iran, Houthi forces in Yemen, and broader regional instability. This image captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on July 6 shows a U.S. Arleigh Burke-class destroyer positioned near the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean. This image captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on July 6 shows a U.S. Arleigh Burke-class destroyer positioned near the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean. Copernicus/Sentinel Hub What To Know New satellite imagery also revealed four B-52 bombers, six KC-135 tankers, and six F-15 fighters, backed by an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer patrolling outside the atoll at the Diego Garcia base, according to open-intelligence analyst MT Anderson on X, formerly Twitter. This image captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on July 6 shows military aircrafts at the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean. This image captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on July 6 shows military aircrafts at the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean. Copernicus/Sentinel Hub Guided-missile destroyers are multi-mission warships equipped with advanced radar, long-range missiles, naval guns, and anti-submarine systems, designed to carry out both offensive and defensive missions—either independently or as part of a carrier strike group. This image captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on July 6 shows a U.S. Arleigh Burke-class destroyer positioned near the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean. This image captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on July 6 shows a U.S. Arleigh Burke-class destroyer positioned near the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean. Copernicus/Sentinel Hub The U.S. gains a major military advantage in the Indo-Pacific from Diego Garcia's location, about 2,200 miles from Iran and 3,000 from southern China. The base gives both the U.S. and Britain access to key capabilities — some secret — like an airfield, deep-water port, global GPS support, space tracking, and tools for monitoring nuclear activity. In the Middle East, aircraft carriers USS Nimitz and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) are operating in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, where the Yemeni Houthis continue to pose threats to maritime navigation. The Iranian-backed rebels, undeterred by heavy U.S. airstrikes earlier this year, have attacked a commercial vessel in the Red Sea for the first time since December, raising the prospect of renewed military conflict. The Houthis say they are acting in solidarity with Gaza as Israel wages war on Hamas there. What People Are Saying U.S. President Donald Trump, quoted by The Hill: "I will tell you that in my view, I hope it's over. I think Iran wants to meet. I think they want to make peace and I'm all for it. Now, if that's not the case, we are ready, willing, and able." Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Iran's Army Chief of Staff, as quoted by IRNA: "In the event of any evil act from the enemies, our response will be more crushing than before." What Happens Next The fragility of the situation in the Middle East means that U.S. forces could be called into action at any time on numerous fronts.
Newsweek
01-07-2025
- General
- Newsweek
New Satellite Image Shows U.S. Aircraft Carrier Deployed Near Iran
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new satellite image reveals the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier deployed in the Arabian Sea, near Iran. Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and Iran's Foreign Ministry for comment. Why It Matters The deployment demonstrates the continuing active U.S. naval presence in the region and preparedness for further conflict despite the ceasefire between Israel and Iran. The aircraft carrier has been operating within the CENTCOM's area of responsibility where it has been operating in April during the U.S. military campaign against Yemen's Houthi group and remained during Israel's war with Iran, in which the United States also conducted strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. Image captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on June 28 shows the USS Carl Vinson in the Arabian Sea. Copernicus/Sentinel Hub Image captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on June 28 shows the USS Carl Vinson in the Arabian Sea. Copernicus/Sentinel Hub Copernicus/Sentinel Hub What To Know The satellite image capturing the USS Carl Vinson near Iran was identified by open-source intelligence analyst MT Anderson on X, formerly Twitter. Two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers were accompanying the carrier, he added. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) conducts operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 28, 2025 The U.S. Naval Institute's fleet and marine tracker update on Monday revealed the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier, along with Carrier Air Wing 2, conducting operations in the Arabian Sea. The ship was spotted six days after the U.S. hit three major Iranian nuclear facilities — Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan — with B-2 stealth bombers which took off overnight from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, flying over 13,000 miles in a 36-hour-long round trip, according to the Pentagon. On Saturday, the Pentagon announced a $961.6 billion defense budget request. For the U.S. Navy, it revealed plans to build 19 new ships and improve nuclear shipyards, maintaining an overall fleet of 287 ships in 2026. What People Are Saying Open-source intelligence analyst MT Anderson wrote on X: "After playing hide-and-seek since May 4, 2025, the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and Carrier Strike Group 1 have finally popped back onto our radar. New satellite imagery from June 28, 2025, confirms their presence in the Northern Arabian Sea... It's a strong reminder that even when quiet, these global assets are always on mission. The reappearance of a full CSG highlights sustained readiness and strategic presence in a key region." U.S. Department of Defense on X, Monday: "Revitalizing the maritime industrial base in the United States ensures a robust naval presence and safeguards our interests at sea. @SECNAV emphasizes that shipbuilding is not just a matter of industry, it's vital for our national security." Iran's Armed Forces Spokesperson Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, as quoted by Mehr News Agency: "The Islamic Republic of Iran has never considered the word 'cessation of conflict' as an option. The Zionist regime is never trustworthy, neither for anywhere in the world nor for Iran." What Happens Next The United States is sustaining naval readiness in the Middle East to ensure rapid response capabilities as tensions with Iran persist and there remains a high risk of a resumption of hostilities.
Newsweek
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Satellite Images Show US B-52 Bombers Deployed Near Iran
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. New satellite imagery showed two B-52 bombers at the U.S. Naval Support Facility at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, reinforcing Washington's long-range strike capabilities near Iran at a time that talks with the U.S. on its nuclear program have so far fallen short of a deal to avert threatened military action. Newsweek contacted U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) for comment. Why It Matters The United States is significantly bolstering its military presence at Diego Garcia airbase in the Indian Ocean, as it escalates pressure on Iran amid tensions over its nuclear program. President Donald Trump has said he would prefer a peaceful resolution of the nuclear dispute, but has threatened military action if it proves impossible to reach an agreement. This photograph captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on May 7 shows two B-52 bombers at the Diego Garcia base. This photograph captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on May 7 shows two B-52 bombers at the Diego Garcia base. Copernicus/Sentinel Hub What To Know B-52 bombers have arrived at the remote Indian Ocean outpost of Diego Garcia, joining a contingent of six B-2 stealth bombers already deployed there for weeks, according to Air & Space Forces Magazine, a military-specialized publication, and open-source intelligence analysts. The measurements of the aircraft shown by the satellite image captured Wednesday and first spotted by open-source intelligence researcher MT Anderson on X, are consistent with the dimensions of the B-52 bomber. B-2 stealth bombers and C-17 transport aircraft were deployed to the remote Indian Ocean base in March, following the launch of a U.S. air campaign against Houthi forces in Yemen that was halted on Tuesday. The increased U.S. military buildup signals heightened readiness for potential large-scale air operations in the region after multiple threats to Iran by the Trump administration over its nuclear ambitions. Nuclear talks are ongoing, but Trump has warned of "great danger" to the Islamic Republic if talks fail. Tehran says that its nuclear program is for commercial purposes only and that it does not want to build nuclear weapons, but an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that Iran "will have no choice" but to seek nuclear weapons if attacked. Diego Garcia, a U.S. military outpost on British territory located over 2,000 miles from Iran, has drawn renewed strategic focus as tensions with Tehran escalate. Iranian media have also previously highlighted the remote base as a potential target in the event of conflict. What People Are Saying Air Force deputy chief of staff for strategic deterrence Lt. General Andrew J. Gebara in congressional hearing, Wednesday, as quoted by Air & Space Forces Magazine: "There's a Bomber Task Force of B-52s going on as we speak." Iranian official told The Telegraph in March: "The response to Trump's threats should be action, not words - every base in the region is within range of our missiles. The missiles are locked and loaded, ready to target any area from which Iran could be threatened, whether from Diego Garcia or Bahrain." What Happens Next As the date for the next U.S.-Iran nuclear talks is yet to be determined, Washington is stepping up its strategic posture to reinforce its readiness for whatever action might be needed.
