U.S. Army mobilizes F-22 fighter jets; Trump considering military action against Iran
Lightning Strikes in the Middle EastU.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors make a landing at RAF Lakenheath in England as the world watches President Donald Trump's potential involvement in Israel's conflict with Iran.
A flock of Raptors grace the British base, a common pitstop for fighters making their way to the Middle East, according to local sources and flight tracking data. These jets took flight from their home base at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
The United States has also dispatched over two dozen tankers to Europe, with the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier being ordered to accelerate its deployment to the U.S. Central Command area. As the Pentagon fortifies its airpower in the Middle East, the U.S. has yet to take on an offensive role, either by striking Iran or refueling Israeli aircraft.
President Trump hinted at his intentions when he declared, "I have ideas on what to do, but I haven't made a final decision yet. I like to make the final decision one second before it's due." Whether he'll take action remains a mystery.
F-22s have been called into duty during tense moments with Iran. Most recently, the U.S. rushed these fighters from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, in August of last year after Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed by a bomb in Tehran. The death was blamed on Israel.
F-22s boast the ability to eliminate Iranian drones and can escort less stealthy aircraft into hostile airspace. Open-source flight tracking data also suggests the deployment of F-16s and F-35s. The Pentagon remains tight-lipped on these movements.
Potential targets if the U.S. decides to intervene include Fordow, Iran's main nuclear enrichment facility. This facility is buried deep in a mountain and is heavily fortified, leading many to believe the U.S. is the only country with the necessary bombers and munitions to destroy it.
A U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear facilities would likely be carried out by B-2 stealth bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, bearing 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs to hit Fordow. "We're the only ones that have the capability to do it, but that doesn't mean I'm going to do it," Trump declared when asked about Fordow. "These are incredible planes and weapons."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth informed Congress that any decision to strike Iran would be made at the presidential level. "At the Defense Department, our job is to stand ready and prepared with options. And that's precisely what we're doing," Hegseth stated to the Senate Armed Services Committee.
America and its allies are offering Israel defensive military assistance to fend off incoming drones and missiles during their previous showdowns with Iran. U.S. fighters have helped shield Israel from Iranian drones, and U.S. Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense batteries and Aegis-equipped U.S. Navy warships have taken down Iranian missiles.
In the April of 2024, support from U.S. and allied fighter jets and air defenses brought down about 80 drones and six missiles, some of the 300 projectiles aimed towards Israel, during that skirmish. Last October, the U.S. rushed more warplanes to the region just prior to an attack by 200 Iranian missiles.
America's largest installation in the region, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, could be a potential target for an Iranian counterattack on U.S. forces.
"From the beginning of Operation Rising Lion, the Iranian Regime has fired approximately 400 ballistic missiles and 1,000 UAVs at Israel," an Israeli military official stated. Israeli officials claim that around 20 ballistic missiles have struck civilian areas in Israel.
Foreign ministers from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the European Union are scheduled to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the 20th of June in Geneva.
- The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors are a common sight at RAF Lakenheath, often making their way to the Middle East for security purposes.
- As tensions rise between Israel and Iran, the U.S. has dispatched its F-22 Raptors from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, to the Middle East.
- If the U.S. decides to intervene in the conflict, the Pentagon may use F-22 jets to eliminate Iranian drones and escort less stealthy aircraft into hostile airspace.
- Open-source flight tracking data suggests the deployment of F-16s and F-35s in addition to the F-22s, although the Pentagon remains mum on these movements.
- Potential targets for a U.S. attack include Fordow, Iran's main nuclear enrichment facility, believed to be one of the few facilities the U.S. has the necessary bombers and munitions to destroy.
- If the U.S. attacks Iran's nuclear facilities, it may use B-2 stealth bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, carrying 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs.
- America's largest installation in the region, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, could be a potential target for an Iranian counterattack on U.S. forces.
- Foreign ministers from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the European Union will meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the 20th of June in Geneva, aiming to resolve ongoing issues. However, the potential for military action remains a concern during these discussions.
