Speculation is rising that the U.S. may be directly involved in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, spurred by reports of a U.S. military deployment.
Military Watch Magazine reported Monday that the U.S. has allegedly deployed over 30 aerial refueling tankers across the Atlantic, heading towards the Middle East. The magazine described this build-up as “unprecedented,” suggesting it could signal a greater U.S. role in the current Israeli-Iranian hostilities.
Open conflict between West Jerusalem and Tehran has entered its fourth day. Israeli forces initiated airstrikes last Thursday targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, resulting in the deaths of high-ranking military officials and scientists. This led to retaliatory missile attacks on Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa.
The U.S. has voiced its support for the Israeli strikes, with President Donald Trump calling them “excellent.” He also cautioned that Washington might become directly involved if American interests are threatened, though no plans to engage U.S. forces have been announced.
However, flight tracking data indicates that the U.S. has already begun deploying KC-135 and KC-46 aerial refueling tankers to the Middle East. Military Watch Magazine speculates that these aircraft could be intended to support Israeli Air Force operations or to refuel U.S. fighters and bombers should Washington increase its involvement in the conflict.
The report further alleges that tankers from other Western nations have assisted Israeli aerial refueling efforts, while the U.S. is believed to have provided intelligence, satellite targeting data, and missile defense support.
Axios reported Sunday that Israeli officials requested direct U.S. military participation, specifically assistance in striking Iran’s Fordow enrichment facility. However, U.S. officials cited by Axios stated that the request was denied, with one official noting that the Trump administration is not considering such involvement.
Tehran, however, claims that Washington’s support for West Jerusalem makes the U.S. complicit in Israel’s aggression against Iran. Iranian military sources have reportedly indicated that Tehran’s response to Israeli strikes would “spread to all areas occupied by this [Israeli] regime and related US bases in the region in the coming days.”
In response, Trump warned that any Iranian attack on U.S. forces would trigger a military response, stating on his Truth Social platform that “if we are attacked in any way, shape, or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the US Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before.” He also maintained that the U.S. “had nothing to do with the attack on Iran” and urged Tehran to return to negotiations.
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