The United States is redeploying significant military assets to the Middle East, pulling F-16 and F-35 fighter jets from bases in Germany and the United Kingdom. American media outlets report that additional aerial refueling tankers are also being moved to the region, signaling a potential escalation of operations against Iran.
According to the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, the aircraft are being relocated from Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany and from bases in the UK. The F-16s, in particular, are capable of targeting Iranian radar systems used for surface-to-air missile guidance. This movement was reportedly ordered before Friday’s Iranian attack on a base in Jordan, which killed two U.S. soldiers.
The Pentagon has not officially confirmed the exact destinations of the additional jets. However, an Israeli military source speaking on condition of anonymity stated that the U.S. has decided to station a batch of extra tanker aircraft at Israeli Air Force bases. The Axios portal reported that the Trump administration informed Israel about the deployment of several dozen aerial refueling tankers to the country.
Military buildup and strategic signaling
The number of tankers stationed in Israel is expected to soon return to levels seen at the beginning of the war with Tehran. This is seen as preparing the ground for intensified strikes against Iran. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that if Iran does not make concessions, U.S. forces could attack power plants and bridges, setting the country back by decades.
– We may intensify strikes on Iran in the coming week – said President Donald Trump, though he has previously pulled back from similar threats. The current deployment of fighter jets and tankers suggests a more concrete preparation for a large-scale operation.
Broader implications for the region
The moving of F-35s, advanced stealth jets, from European bases also indicates a shift in U.S. strategic priorities. European allies have been notified, but the focus is now clearly on the Gulf region. Analysts note that the combination of air-to-ground capable F-16s and stealth F-35s would allow the U.S. to strike a wide range of targets, including air defense systems and critical infrastructure.
The timing of the redeployment, coming after the deadly attack in Jordan, suggests that the U.S. is preparing a significant response. The presence of additional tanker aircraft in Israel would extend the range and loiter time of American warplanes over Iranian territory.
Źródło: polsatnews.pl, Fot. Polsat News
