N. Prabhakaran Dubai: As part of a massive military buildup by the United States in the Middle East, U.S. F-22 Stealth fighter jets arrived ...
N. Prabhakaran
Dubai: As part of a massive military buildup by the United States in the Middle East, U.S. F-22 Stealth fighter jets arrived at an airbase in southern Israel on Tuesday. This move comes amid growing fears that the tension between Iran and the United States is escalating toward war.
Twelve F-22 aircraft departed from the Royal Air Force base at Lakenheath, England. Although one returned due to a technical snag, the rest reached Israel. It is highly rare for American fighter jets to be stationed at Israeli bases in a combat-ready capacity rather than for joint training exercises.
Since mid-February, hundreds of cargo planes and refueling tankers have arrived in the region. Reports suggest that over 300 American military aircraft are currently deployed in the Middle East. Additionally, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is positioned off the coast of Israel.
On Thursday, the two countries are scheduled to hold talks in Geneva regarding Iran's nuclear program. It is reported that Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, is preparing to submit a new proposal.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that he will attack Iran if the talks fail. "Diplomacy is the priority, but Trump is prepared to use lethal military force if necessary," said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Meanwhile, Iran has warned that it will retaliate by attacking Israel and American installations in the region. In a show of strength, Iran's Revolutionary Guards conducted large-scale military exercises on the southern coast.
Israel, a key ally of the U.S., holds little hope for the diplomatic talks. Israeli officials assess that an American attack on Iran is "inevitable." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear that they would go to any length to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
"If Iran agrees to a real diplomatic solution, it would be the biggest miracle of the year," said a senior Israeli official.
In short, signals indicate that all preparations are in place for the Middle East to slide into another major war if the talks collapse.
The F-22 Raptor
The F-22 Raptor is the world’s most advanced "air superiority" fighter jet. It can fly without being detected by enemy radar, which is essential for bypassing Iran's sophisticated air defense systems (such as the S-300). The United States does not sell this aircraft to any other country (not even Israel). Therefore, the direct deployment of these jets to Israel by the U.S. is considered a major military move.
'Operation Midnight Hammer'
This refers to a military maneuver conducted by the U.S. during the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict last June. It involved B-2 bombers, F-22s, and F-35s targeting Iranian nuclear sites. The re-arrival of F-22s now suggests that the U.S. is once again preparing for such a powerful strike.
Iran's Response
Israel's Military Alliance
Prime Minister Netanyahu is attempting to form a new regional alliance against the Iranian threat. He revealed that several Middle Eastern countries are participating in this. Netanyahu also desires to make India a key partner in this coalition.
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