US moves F-16s from Germany and F-35s from Britain to Middle East as Iran strikes enter ninth night
F-16s from Spangdahlem, Germany, and F-35s from RAF Lakenheath, Britain, are en route alongside tanker aircraft, US media report, as Washington bombed Iranian targets for a ninth consecutive night.
The airlift from Europe
Multiple US media outlets reported on 19 and 20 July that the United States is moving additional fighter and tanker aircraft into the Middle East. The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and the Washington Post all described the deployments, citing unnamed US officials. F-16 jets stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany's Eifel region are already on their way, as are F-35 jets from RAF Lakenheath in Britain. Tanker aircraft are also being repositioned, which would allow combat jets to remain airborne longer and operate over greater distances.
The New York Times noted that the decision to move the aircraft was taken before an Iranian strike in Jordan on Friday that killed two US soldiers and left another missing. The Pentagon's Central Command (CENTCOM) declined to comment on the movements.
A ninth night of strikes
Parallel to the reinforcement, CENTCOM confirmed that US forces struck targets inside Iran for the ninth night in a row. The latest wave hit command centres, air-defence and coastal-surveillance installations, and launch sites for missiles and drones. The stated objective is to degrade Iran's ability to attack merchant vessels and civilian sailors in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula that carries a large share of global oil and liquefied-gas trade.
President Donald Trump said Iran had been "hit very hard again" and that the strikes were carried out "in honour" of "probably three great patriots."
Iran was hit very hard again.
The Jordan front
On Saturday, Iran also fired rockets toward the Jordanian Red Sea port of Aqaba, just a few kilometres from the Israeli border, according to the Israeli military. Jordan's armed forces intercepted three of the rockets; a fourth fell in a remote area without causing casualties or damage, the state news agency Petra reported. The salvo marked a geographic widening of the exchange beyond the Gulf theatre.
Preparing for a wider war
The Washington Post quoted an unnamed US official saying the United States is preparing for a "more comprehensive war." The same official cautioned that dwindling American weapons stockpiles could limit any expansion of operations. "We don't have enough to sustain the missions safely, and I don't think the White House is aware of that," the official told the newspaper.
We don't have enough to sustain the missions safely, and I don't think the White House is aware of that.
The Strait of Hormus flashpoint
The current escalation reignited at the start of July, triggered by a dispute over the Strait of Hormus. Both sides have traded strikes and counter-strikes for days. The US aims to protect commercial shipping through the chokepoint; Iran has responded with retaliatory attacks on US bases and vessels in the region. The arrival of additional combat and refuelling aircraft from Europe signals preparations for a potentially longer and more intensive air campaign, even as questions about munitions supply linger inside the Pentagon.
- Iran conflict reignites over Strait of Hormuz dispute; US and Iran trade strikes.
- Decision taken to move F-16s, F-35s and tankers to Middle East, before Friday's Jordan attack.
- Iranian strike in Jordan kills two US soldiers; one soldier reported missing.
- Iran fires rockets at Aqaba, Jordan; Jordan intercepts three, fourth lands in remote area.
- US media report fighter and tanker deployments from Germany and Britain.
- US conducts ninth consecutive night of strikes on Iranian command, air-defence and launch sites.
