Recent statements from a US defence official clarified that there has been no directive to initiate operations against Iran involving B-2 bombers. As of Saturday, these aircraft were observed flying over the Pacific Ocean, seemingly en route to Guam.
Defence officials indicated that the deployment of B-2 bombers serves to present the President with various military options rather than signalling an immediate operation. The repositioning of these aircraft can act as both a demonstration of force and a deterrent, particularly as President Trump weighs his decisions.
Notably, B-2 bombers possess the unique capability to carry the Massive Ordinance Penetrator, the only bomb presently considered capable of effectively targeting Iran’s underground Fordow nuclear facility. Each bomber can transport two of these substantial “bunker buster” bombs, each weighing approximately 30,000 pounds (about 13,607 kg).
The movement of these bombers coincides with Trump’s recent activities in the Situation Room, where he has been extensively reviewing military strategies and discussing their potential consequences. The President has mentioned that his timeline for deciding on US military involvement in Iran is flexible, indicating that he could reach a conclusion sooner than anticipated.
In the coming days, Trump is scheduled to meet with his national security team in the Oval Office to further discuss the situation. Meanwhile, no commentary has been provided by the White House regarding the recent military movements.
On Friday evening, eight KC-135 Stratotankers took off from Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma, refuelling two groups of aircraft, which were identified through air traffic control communications linked to the B-2 bombers. These operations included refuelling over Kansas and later off the coasts of California and Hawaii.
Flight tracking data and air traffic records corroborate that the B-2s were refuelled as they travelled, utilising routes that aligned with their base of operations at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Satellite images from Thursday also revealed the presence of six refuelling air-tankers stationed at Diego Garcia, an Indian Ocean island which could serve as a strategic refuelling point if the bombers were to press on towards Iran.