US Considers Deploying More Refueling Planes Amid Iran Tensions

The United States is reportedly preparing to deploy dozens of additional aerial refueling aircraft as President Donald Trump weighs expanding military operations against Iran. The move comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, according to an Axios report citing three US and Israeli officials.

Trump is said to have reviewed several operational proposals during a meeting at the White House, though a final decision has not been made. These proposals reportedly include strikes on Iranian power plants, other infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and underground sites. US and Israeli officials suggest Trump could order an escalation within days to pressure Tehran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz and accepting Washington's demands regarding its nuclear program.

The US currently has about 30 aerial refueling aircraft stationed in Israel. Washington aims to send several dozen more to restore the air fleet to its early conflict levels. Air strikes in Western Asia have continued for seven consecutive nights, with Iran reporting three deaths from US strikes before retaliating against US military sites in Kuwait and Jordan. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed strikes on Iran, intended to degrade the country's military capabilities.

Senior Iranian military advisor Major General Mohsen Rezaei stated that Tehran would resume full-scale operations if US strikes continued for another two or three days. "Iran will no longer limit its response to proportional counterattacks, and no political border will be safe," he warned, according to Iran's IRIB news agency.

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Iran will no longer limit its response to proportional counterattacks, and no political border will be safe.