US deploys B-52 bombers to Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran

The US Air Force has deployed B-52 Stratofortress bombers to the Middle East as a deterrent against Iran and its proxies, marking the first such deployment to the region since 2019.

A total of six B-52s, along with an additional squadron of F-15E Strike Eagles and more aerial refuelling tankers, will support the increased airpower, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

This move comes in response to threats from senior Iranian officials to attack Israel following recent airstrikes on Iranian air defences and missile production facilities on October 26. The deployment aims to compensate for the upcoming departure of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group.

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Major General Patrick S. Ryder emphasized that these movements highlight the flexible nature of the US defence posture and its ability to respond to evolving national security threats. While the specific location of the B-52s from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Base, North Dakota, has not been disclosed, cargo aircraft from Minot have recently arrived at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which is known to host B-52s.

The Lincoln battlegroup, equipped with warships capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, has previously defended Israel from Iranian missile threats. Additionally, Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III has ordered more missile defence-capable destroyers to the region.

These deployments are part of a broader strategy to enhance the US military presence in the Middle East. Last month, a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system was sent to Israel, along with approximately 100 US personnel to operate it.

Over 2,000 Marines are also stationed in the eastern Mediterranean as part of an Amphibious Ready Group led by the USS Wasp. Furthermore, a squadron of F-16s from Germany was deployed to the region in late October, with KC-46 Pegasus tankers arriving earlier in the month.

Ryder stated that the deployment of B-52s and other assets aligns with US commitments to protect citizens and forces in the region, defend Israel, and promote de-escalation through deterrence and diplomacy. He reiterated that the US would take all necessary measures to defend American personnel and interests against threats from Iran or its affiliates.

By Vafa Guliyeva