The United States (US) has deployed 10 military cargo aircraft to Israeli air bases in the southern Negev region as Washington DC and Tel Aviv prepare for a possible military confrontation with Iran, an Israeli news broadcaster has reported.
The aircraft have landed at Ovda and Nevatim air bases, while additional US military planes are reportedly being sent to bases in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, according to the broadcaster.
The outlet reported that the aircraft departed from Fort Bliss in Texas, which houses one of the US military’s largest air defence centres, including facilities linked to interceptor missiles and air defence batteries.
Washington has not immediately confirmed the reported deployments. The nature of the cargo being transported and whether US President Donald Trump has decided to authorise military action against Iran also remain unclear.
An Israeli official told the outlet that Washington and Tel Aviv are coordinating their military preparations.
“Israel and the United States are coordinating closely, and although no decision has yet been made on the matter, the Americans and Israel are preparing for any decision President Donald Trump makes,” the official said.
Earlier this week, the outlet reported that Washington had warned Gulf countries about the possibility of a short and limited military campaign against Iran.
The US military is also deploying a Patriot missile defence system from Texas to strengthen its air defences in the Gulf region. US troops stationed at military bases across the region have reportedly been instructed to relocate as a precaution against possible escalation.
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said that he and several other senators had received a briefing on potential plans to attack Iran, describing them as “insane”.
He warned that such an operation could trigger a devastating escalation and undermine the US commitment to the rule of law.
The US and Israel launched illegal attacks against Iran on February 28, prompting Tehran to retaliate against Israeli and US targets across the region. A ceasefire agreement followed in April.
In June, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding concerning freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, but its implementation has stalled over disagreements about the waterway’s security.
