U.S. Prepares for Possible Strike on Iran’s Nuclear Facilities

Satellite imagery indicates U.S. readiness for a possible attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

With Donald Trump’s victory as U.S. President, tensions over Tehran’s nuclear facilities have escalated, and reports suggest the United States is preparing militarily for a potential strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities and to counter the Houthis in Yemen.

Released satellite imagery indicates that at least three B-2 stealth bombers have been deployed to the strategic Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean over the past 48 hours. Aviation communications also confirmed that two B-2 bombers conducted aerial refueling over Australia yesterday, indicating coordinated and planned deployment of multiple bombers in the region.

According to released information, 11 Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft, 3 C-17 transport planes, and one P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft have been spotted at Diego Garcia base. In addition, other bombers have taken off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri toward the Diego Garcia base.

According to international sources and flight tracking networks, F-35 fighter jets have also been deployed to the Middle East. The increase in U.S. military deployments indicates readiness to conduct extensive air operations in the region. The U.S. Defense Secretary also announced the extension of the USS Truman aircraft carrier’s mission in the Middle East and the dispatch of the USS Carl Vinson carrier to the region as well.

The last time six B-52 bombers were sent to Diego Garcia was in 2020 following the killing of Qasem Soleimani. Military analysts commented on this military arrangement, stating: “What has been observed so far regarding Diego Garcia far exceeds typical exercises or routine bomber force deployments.”

Diego Garcia island, located 3,795 kilometers away from Iran, is outside the range of Iran’s missiles and drones, as Iran’s ballistic missile range is estimated at up to 2,000 kilometers. This island is a joint British-American base that has been used as a headquarters for launching major U.S. military operations. The deployed B-2 bombers have the capability to penetrate heavy defense systems and target underground facilities with massive “Massive Ordnance Penetrator” bunker-busting bombs.

The aforementioned guided bunker-busting bombs, weighing 14 tons, can only be carried by B-2 bombers and are designed to destroy fortified facilities. These bombs were also used by the United States last year to attack underground ammunition storage facilities belonging to the Houthis in Yemen.

The United States, through a formal letter to Iran, has demanded a new nuclear agreement and warned in the letter that Iran’s non-cooperation would lead to serious consequences and military action. Iran, in response to this letter, emphasized that its nuclear program is pursued solely for commercial purposes and has no military application.

Iran’s claim of a nuclear program for commercial purposes comes as Ayatollah Khamenei has rejected such negotiations, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has announced a new project called the “Missile City” and released images of the facility, indicating an increase in Iran’s military capacity amid these tensions.