Media: US deploying combat aircraft to Middle East Updated

Israel is preparing to receive additional U.S. aerial refuelling aircraft as Washington adjusts its military posture in the Middle East amid escalating strikes between the United States and Iran, an Israeli military official told Reuters.

The move follows earlier reports that the United States was deploying additional fighter jets and tanker aircraft to the region, potentially in preparation for an expansion of military operations against Iran.

The Israeli official said the United States had "decided to ⁠adjust its force posture in the region" and "to reinforce the existing fleet of ​aerial refuelling aircraft stationed in Israel with additional refuelling aircraft."

Another senior Israeli official said dozens of U.S. refuelling planes were expected to arrive in Israel. 

According to Israeli officials, the additional aircraft are being deployed as U.S. and Iranian attacks have intensified following the collapse of an interim ceasefire agreement reached a month ago. Israel has not taken part in the latest U.S. strikes.

The Israeli military official said that, to reduce disruption to civilian aviation and for operational and logistical reasons, the United States "chose to station ⁠some of the refuelling aircraft at Israeli Air Force bases," as well as at commercial airports.

A spokesperson for Transport Minister Miri Regev said some aircraft were later moved to Israeli Air Force bases. As of June 25, a total of 98 U.S. military aircraft were present in Israel, according to the spokesperson.

10:14

The United States has decided to deploy additional fighter jets and aerial refuelling aircraft to the Middle East, a move that could indicate preparations for an expansion of military operations against Iran, The New York Times (NYT) reports, citing US officials.

According to the newspaper’s sources, US Air Force F-16 fighter jets from a base in Germany and British stealth F-35 fighters are being sent to the region. Additional tanker aircraft are also being deployed. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) declined to comment on the movement of military aircraft.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said he intended to intensify strikes against Iran and expand the list of targets to include infrastructure facilities, including bridges and energy sites.

According to The New York Times, it remains unclear where all of the additional aircraft will be stationed. However, some of the tanker aircraft could be deployed to Israeli Air Force bases, an Israeli official told the newspaper.