Escalating U.S.-Iran friction has sparked a flurry of military movements, with Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport emerging as a key hub. Overnight, no fewer than nine U.S. refueling aircraft touched down, as verified by Israeli media through expert analysis of tracking data and video evidence.
This follows sightings of additional American refuelers and transports at the airport earlier in the week, alongside 11 advanced F-22 stealth jets landing at Ovda Airbase with full logistical backup. The presence of at least 14 tankers now at Ben Gurion points to heightened operational readiness.
These assets are primed to refuel U.S. fighters launching from the USS Gerald R. Ford, currently heading toward Israel’s northern waters. Such positioning fuels speculation of preemptive actions against Iran if ordered by President Trump.
Meanwhile, precautionary measures are underway: the U.S. has greenlit departures for non-critical personnel and dependents from Israel. Citizens face travel advisories urging swift exits on commercial carriers and avoidance of specified regions, linked to the deadlock in nuclear discussions with Tehran.
Trump’s administration perceives Iran’s nuclear posture as duplicitous, justifying the activation of dual carrier strike groups. As talks resume next week, the amassing of airpower at Ben Gurion underscores a pivotal moment, where diplomacy clashes with the specter of military confrontation.