Media: Dozens of US military planes head to Middle East, Iran boosts air defence

Open source intelligence (OSINT) sources have reported a major redeployment of U.S. Air Force aircraft toward the Middle East, the Israeli outlet NEWSru.co.il reports.

According to flight tracking services and military observers, in recent hours, dozens of U.S. air refuelling tankers and heavy transport aircraft (C-5 and C-17) have departed from bases in the U.S. and from a U.S. airbase in the United Kingdom, heading east — presumably toward Middle Eastern deployment points.

The aircraft involved include KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-46A Pegasus tankers, as well as C-17 Globemaster III and C-5M Galaxy transporters, which are typically used in such operations to move personnel, equipment, and special units.

No official comments have been issued by the US Department of Defense. .

Amid these developments, Iranian sources report heightened readiness of air defence systems. On January 4, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) conducted air defence and missile exercises in several cities, including Tehran, deploying radar stations and surface-to-air missile units, which is seen as preparation for a potential escalation.

This does not necessarily indicate imminent military action. A similar deployment occurred in autumn 2025, when a group of KC-135 tankers was flown across the Atlantic to Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar. However, no combat operations followed. At the time, the U.S. military explained the redeployment as necessary to “strengthen U.S. defensive posture and expand the range of military options in the region.”

By Khagan Isayev