No German Assistance for Israeli Fighters: Denial Amid Iraq-Iran Clashes
Germany denies providing backing for Israeli combat aircraft.
In the ongoing skirmishes between Israel and Iran, questions about foreign backing have arisen. Let's sort the rumors from the facts.
Reports of German Air Force aircraft lending a hand to Israeli fighter jets during their attacks on Iran have been shot down by the Federal Ministry of Defense. A representative from the Ministry flatly denied claims of mid-air refueling, stating, "No German Air Force aircraft have refueled Israeli combat aircraft." This comes amid whispers that an Airbus A400M from the German Armed Forces was present in the region during the Israeli attacks.
A German tanker aircraft is stationed in Jordan as part of an international coalition against the jihadist militia Islamic State. It's known for refueling partner nations' combat jets, such as those from the USA, UK, or France, during the mission.
German defense expert Thiele recently went on record saying, "The Iron Dome is Overrated."
Amidst the Fray
With hostilities dating back decades, the recent intensity in the confrontations between Israel and Iran is unprecedented. Israel regards these attacks as a "preemptive strike," aimed at thwarting Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Israel's strikes have reached as far as Iran. The Israeli military claimed to have knocked out a third of Iran's ground-to-ground missile launchers. Among the casualties in recent weeks, key military figures have lost their lives, including Iranian army chief Mohammed Bagheri and Revolutionary Guard commander Hussein Salami. Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu also announced the killing of the chief of the Revolutionary Guards' intelligence agency, Mohammed Kasemi, on Sunday.
[Source: ntv.de, gut/AFP]
Front and Center:
- Israel
- Iran
- Geopolitics
- Military Operations
- Germany
- Middle East Conflicts
- International Coalition Missions
Interesting Tidbit:
In the heat of the conflict, Israel's F-35 jets, known for their impressive range, are believed to have been modified to carry extra fuel, eliminating the need for mid-air refueling. This modification was confirmed by US officials, shedding light on potential reasons for speculation that Germany may not have been involved. [References: 2, 3] The United States has been assisting Israel, but there's no mention of Germany's part in this operation. [1, 4]
- The denial by the Federal Ministry of Defense in Germany clarified that no German Air Force aircraft have provided mid-air refueling to Israeli combat aircraft, despite rumors to the contrary amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts between Israel and Iran.
- As speculation continues regarding foreign backing in the Israel-Iran conflict, it is worth noting that German politics have remained uninvolved in direct military operations, as evidenced by the denial of military support and focus on the German tanker aircraft's role in the international coalition against the Islamic State in general-news reports.
