The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers from Minot Air Force Base’s 5th Bomb Wing have arrived in the Middle East, amid rising tensions over the possibility of Iran launching another attack on Israel.
CENTCOM did not provide further details about the deployment of the bombers.
The U.S. previously announced the deployment of B-52 long-range bombers, along with additional destroyers, fighter squadrons, and tankers, to the region as a deterrent against Iran and its allied militant groups.
These moves come ahead of the U.S. presidential election on Tuesday, as the entire Middle East region teeters on the brink of a wider regional conflict fueled by ongoing clashes between Israel and Iranian-backed groups Hamas and Hezbollah in Gaza and Lebanon.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, issued a threat of “a crushing response” to Israel and the U.S. on Saturday, following Israeli airstrikes on October 26 that targeted military bases and other locations in Iran, killing at least five people.
“The enemies, whether the Zionist regime or the United States of America, will definitely receive a crushing response to what they are doing to Iran and the Iranian nation and to the resistance front,” Khamenei stated in a video released by Iranian state media.
Khamenei did not specify the timing or scope of a potential attack.
Iran has already carried out two major direct attacks on Israel in April and October. The latest attack involved Iran launching nearly 200 ballistic missiles towards Israel.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military deployed a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system to Israel last month, aiming to protect the country from potential Iranian attacks.