US fighters and bombers flew over the Persian Gulf in a warning to Iran
The bombers were deployed to the CENTCOM area of responsibility last week after the US reportedly received intelligence showing "clear indications that Iranian and Iranian proxy forces were making preparations to possibly attack US forces in the region," a US Central Command spokesman said.
Sunday's patrol was the first mission for the four B-52s deployed to the CENTCOM area. "They’re here to defend our forces and interests," a US Air Forces Central Command spokesperson told Stars and Stripes.
Source: Stars and Stripes
Other US military assets sent to the Middle East to check Iran include the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, an amphibious assault vessel, and a Patriot air-and-missile defense battery.
While emphasizing that the US does not seek war with Iran, the White House has stressed that any attack by Iran will be met with "unrelenting force."
Source: White House
The fifth-generation F-35As were moved into the theater for the first time in April to support ongoing operations. These stealth fighters have already conducted strikes in the region.
Source: US Air Forces Central Command
The F-15Cs were already in theater but were moved last week "to be best positioned to defend U.S. forces and interests in the region."
Source: US Air Forces Central Command
As CENTCOM bolsters its firepower, Iran has issued several warnings, at one point calling the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier a "target" rather than a threat. Iran has not yet, it appears, escalated beyond rhetoric though.
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