Heightened Tensions as B-2 Stealth Bombers Depart For Guam and Israel Strikes Iranian Targets
Amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, reports confirm that six B-2 stealth bombers have left Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, bound for Guam. This information was verified by U.S. officials speaking to Fox News and flight tracking data reviewed by various news outlets.
Simultaneously, The New York Times has detailed Israeli military actions against sites in southwestern Iran, specifically targeting munitions and drone storage in Bandar Abbas. Situated strategically along the Strait of Hormuz, the port city forms a vital link between Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
Newsweek has reached out to both the Pentagon's Defense Press Operations office and the White House for comment via email on Saturday.
Significance:
Recent escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran has reached a critical point, with President Donald Trump advocating for the evacuation of Tehran, Iran's capital, housing a population exceeding 9.5 million residents.
Israel initiated "Operation Rising Lion," targeting Tehran and several other cities, claiming it was a preemptive move to disrupt a planned Iranian assault and impair Iran's nuclear capabilities. In response, Iran retaliated, with Israeli defenses—supported by U.S. military technology—reportedly intercepting approximately 99% of incoming missile threats, as indicated in a social media post by Israeli officials. Subsequent Iranian strikes targeted a hospital in southern Israel and resulted in missile-caused fires in Tel Aviv.
Human rights figures suggest at least 585 individuals in Iran, including 239 civilians, have perished, and another 1,300 have sustained injuries. Conversely, Israel claims 24 fatalities and 500 injuries since Friday's events.
The U.S. maintains a longstanding alliance with Israel, extending substantial annual military aid. Relations between the U.S. and Iran deteriorated following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, leading to continued strained and distrustful engagement over four decades.
The Strait of Hormuz carries significant global economic weight, managing around 26% of global oil trade. Any disruption to this vital passage poses substantial implications for global oil markets.
Anticipating potential operations against Iran's fortified nuclear facilities, the U.S.'s B-2 bombers are equipped to carry unique 15-ton bunker-buster bombs, which could be crucial in addressing the most secure Iranian sites. Observers and officials indicate that only the U.S. possesses the 30,000-pound bunker-buster bomb capable of targeting key facilities like the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant.
The decision on potential U.S. involvement in Israeli actions against Iranian nuclear installations is currently under deliberation by President Trump, who is anticipated to convene with the National Security Council for strategic discussions.
