A B-2 Spirit multi-role bomber conducting air refueling operations with a KC-135 Stratotanker over the Pacific Ocean (Picture: AFP)
All eyes are on B-2 stealth bombers that have been deployed from the US as back-and-forth attacks between Israel and Iran enter a second week.
The warplanes are all capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear weapons,including the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP),also known as the bunker-buster – the only bomb able of penetrating the Iranian underground nuclear sites.
They would be Israel’s best chance at destroying the secretive fortification at Fordo – believed to be even deeper underground than the Channel Tunnel connecting the UK and France.
Flight tracking data shows two groups of four tankers each linking up with the jets over Kansas.
The B-2 aircraft were using the callsign ‘MYTEE21,previously associated with stealth bomber missions.
It is currently unclear whether the bombers are heading to Diego Garcia or a US military base in Guam.
The US would need permission from the UK to launch strikes from Diego Garcia,over which it maintains sovereignty.
This would not be necessary if they deployed from the military base in Guam.
Since Israel’s first wave of strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in the early hours of Friday last week,there have been fears that the US will also join the attacks,plunging the entirety of the Middle East into chaos.
This is why experts have been watchful of the deployment of B-2 planes from the US,as it would be an indication of Donald Trump’s intentions.
This comes as the Israeli army said it began striking military infrastructure in southwest Iran.
A large column of smoke had also risen above the port city of Mahshahr,Fars news agency said,while ‘frightening explosions’ were heard in the provincial capital of Ahvaz.
Israel’s military said it was conducting strikes on ‘military infrastructure’ inthe southwest.
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