Two U.S. defense officials have warned that the movement of B-2 bombers does not indicate that an operation is imminent; instead, it is meant to provide the president with options.
According to flight tracking data reviewed by CNN, multiple U.S. B-2 bombers took off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on Friday night and are heading west, as President Donald Trump considers military options regarding a potential airstrike in Iran.
A U.S. defense official stated that no orders have been issued to proceed with any operation against Iran utilizing the B-2s. As of Saturday, the aircraft are flying over the Pacific and seem to be en route to Guam.
Two U.S. defense officials have cautioned that the movement of B-2s does not signify an imminent operation but is rather intended to provide the president with options. Another U.S. official mentioned that the relocation of aircraft can serve as a demonstration of force and a deterrent while Trump deliberates.
B-2 bombers are the sole aircraft capable of carrying the Massive Ordinance Penetrator, which experts have noted is the only type of bomb that could potentially destroy Iran’s underground Fordow nuclear facility. Each B-2 bomber can carry two of these “bunker buster” bombs, each weighing an impressive 30,000 pounds.
The deployment of the B-2 bombers occurs as Trump has spent a significant portion of the past week in the Situation Room, reviewing attack plans and questioning officials about the potential repercussions of each. The president has indicated that his two-week timeline for a decision regarding U.S. military involvement in Iran is the “maximum” amount of time, suggesting he may reach a conclusion sooner.
Trump is scheduled to meet with his national security team in the Oval Office on Saturday and Sunday evenings. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
On Friday night, eight U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers departed from Altus, Oklahoma, according to data from FlightRadar24. Over Kansas, the tankers refueled two groups of aircraft, as identified on air traffic control audio by their
Analysis of flight tracking data and air traffic control audio conducted by CNN indicates that the bombers underwent refueling operations once more off the coast of California and above Hawaii. Satellite images captured on Thursday revealed the presence of six KC-135 refueling aircraft positioned at Diego Garcia, a secluded island located in the Indian Ocean, which may serve as a refueling point for the bombers if they proceed towards Iran.