US Preparing Major Military Action Against Iran: Sending Additional Refueling Aircraft to Israel

August 18, Kathmandu – The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to deploy several additional refueling aircraft to Israel in anticipation of a potential major military operation against Iran. According to Axios, three US and Israeli officials have confirmed this development.

President Donald Trump has been reviewing new military plans in the Situation Room and is contemplating a large-scale attack on Iran. This planned assault would be significantly larger than the recent strikes near the Strait of Hormuz.

The US government is also considering options to bomb Iran’s energy plants and nuclear sites, although Trump has not yet made a final decision.

While Iran is exerting pressure to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and to fulfill its nuclear demands, Trump appears willing to expand the scope of conflict. Both American and Israeli officials suggest Trump may soon issue orders for military action.

On Thursday, the US continued its attacks on the Strait of Hormuz and southern Iranian coast for the fifth consecutive day. The US military targeted at least seven bridges near Bandar Abbas.

Bandar Abbas is regarded as the main hub for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), from which weapons and troops are dispatched to other areas around the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has intensified attacks on US military bases located in Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, and Kuwait. The IRGC has also claimed responsibility for an attack on a US base in Syria, although US forces had withdrawn from there several months earlier.

Currently, approximately 60 US refueling aircraft are stationed at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv and Ramon Airport in southern Israel. Israeli officials have indicated that the US plans to send dozens more aircraft in the coming days. This buildup would mirror the volume seen in the initial phase of the current conflict.

The US military intends to operate these aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport. Other military facilities in the region face higher risks of Iranian attack, making this airport relatively secure. Iran appears to have held back further aggression against Israel amid fears of a strong retaliation.

In a Tuesday address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned, “To the leaders of Iran: If you attack us, do not believe we will remain silent. We will not see a repeat of past incidents, even though those were very powerful. This time, the response will be different and far stronger.”

The presence of these American refueling aircraft in Israel has sparked considerable political controversy. The planes, parked at Ben Gurion Airport for months, have led to significant congestion at the facility.

Unlike during the height of the conflict when airspace was closed, the skies are now open, and many Israelis are traveling during the summer holidays. The arrival of additional US aircraft could lead to numerous flight cancellations.

With just three months remaining until the upcoming election, this issue could significantly impact Netanyahu’s coalition. His close ally and Transportation Minister Miri Regev has pressed to reduce or relocate these aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport.

However, the Defense Ministry and Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) oppose these measures. The Trump administration has urged the Israeli government to accommodate the additional aircraft, leaving the final decision in Netanyahu’s hands.