WASHINGTON: The United States is preparing to deploy dozens of additional aerial refueling aircraft as President Donald Trump considers broadening military operations against Iran, according to a report published by Axios on Friday.
Citing three US and Israeli officials, the report said Trump reviewed several military options during a Situation Room meeting earlier this week but has not yet made a final decision on whether to expand the campaign.
Among the proposals reportedly under consideration are strikes on Iranian power plants, key infrastructure, and additional suspected nuclear facilities, including the heavily fortified underground Pickaxe Mountain site.
According to the officials, Washington believes increased military pressure could push Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and return to negotiations over its nuclear program.
The report said the US currently has around 30 aerial refueling aircraft stationed at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, with a similar number deployed at Ramon Airport in southern Israel. Additional aircraft are expected to be sent to restore the fleet to levels seen at the start of the conflict.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) has not publicly commented on the reported deployment plans.
Military officials reportedly favor Ben Gurion Airport as the primary operating base because other regional facilities are viewed as more vulnerable to Iranian missile and drone attacks. Iran has repeatedly targeted US military positions across the Gulf during recent months.
Regional tensions have remained high since February, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated military operations against Iran, prompting retaliatory missile and drone strikes by Tehran against countries hosting US military assets.
Although Iran and the United States signed a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding last month intended to reduce hostilities and pave the way for a broader peace agreement, the situation has deteriorated again amid renewed disputes over the Strait of Hormuz.
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