US to Deploy Dozens More Refuelling Aircraft to Israel Amid Iran Tensions

The Trump administration is preparing to expand its military campaign against Iran, with the United States reportedly planning to send dozens of additional military refuelling aircraft to Israel. The move would allow fighter jets to be refuelled mid-air, enabling extended operations should further action be required. The claim was made in a report by Axios, citing American and Israeli officials.

According to the report, news of the proposed deployment emerged after US President Donald Trump reviewed several military options during a Situation Room meeting earlier this week.

The report suggests a number of other options are also under consideration, including further strikes on Iran's energy and civilian infrastructure, as well as its nuclear sites, in order to destroy stockpiles of enriched uranium. A strike on the underground Pickaxe Mountain site, which is currently under construction, is also reportedly being considered.

What is the US planning?

Axios reports that President Trump has not yet made a final decision on expanding the military operation and is currently weighing the option of broader military action. The objective is understood to be applying sufficient pressure on Iran to compel it to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accept American demands relating to its nuclear programme.

Citing US and Israeli officials, the report states that the expanded military deployment could be ordered within the coming days. This comes as US forces continue to carry out strikes on Iranian targets in and around the Strait of Hormuz and southern Iran for several consecutive days.

Where will the refuelling aircraft be stationed?

Around 30 US military refuelling aircraft are currently stationed at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, with a similar number deployed at Ramon Airport in southern Israel, the report says.

Israeli officials said the US plans to deploy several dozen more refuelling aircraft in the coming days, which would bring numbers back up to levels seen at the start of the conflict.

The US military reportedly wants to operate most of these aircraft from Ben Gurion International Airport, as other military airbases in the region are considered more vulnerable to potential Iranian strikes.

Aircraft deployment becomes a sensitive issue

The report notes that the additional deployment of US aircraft has become a politically sensitive issue within Israel. Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev has called for a reduction in the number of American aircraft or for them to be relocated elsewhere, while Israel's Ministry of Defence and the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have opposed this.

The report also states that the Trump administration has formally requested the additional deployment from the Israeli government. A final decision on the matter now rests with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.