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The US Central Command announced that two B-52 bombers had flown over the waters of the Arabian Gulf on Thursday, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard threatened to respond to “enemy movements in the waters of the Gulf.”
This comes in tandem with the Politico website quoting a US military official that the US military is ready and reinforcing its forces in the Middle East for fear of a possible Iranian attack, and that the Pentagon is watching for worrying signs of possible attacks by Iranian militias in Iraq.
The leadership said the mission is a message to those it described as potential opponents, and that it confirms the US military’s commitment to protecting its regional partners and Washington’s ability to rapidly deploy combat forces anywhere in the world.
The commander of the US Central Command was quoted as saying that Iran is embarrassed after the assassination of nuclear scientist Fakhrizadeh and is still looking for a way to respond, emphasizing that after the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, Iran has difficulty coordinating matters in Iraq .
“We are observing the threats from Iran and it is not in their interest to attack us, directly or indirectly,” he said.
The American New York Times quoted US military officials (did not mention them), saying that the goal is to deter Iran and its representatives from carrying out attacks against US forces in the Middle East.
The US Army Central Command said in a statement that the two heavy bombers, called “Stratofortress” and which can carry nuclear weapons, took off from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana and their crews were notified at the last minute.
The statement said the two planes flew over the Gulf “with other planes belonging to the United States Air Force and planes from partner countries,” explaining that this is the second “B-52” bomber flight in two months in this region.
Central Command Commander General Frank McKinsey commented: “Our potential opponents must understand that no country in the world is more prepared and capable (than the United States) to rapidly deploy additional combat capabilities in the face of any aggression.”
“Our ability to cooperate with partners in such a mission shows that we are ready to respond together to any crisis,” he said.
Officials added that the flight of the two bombers in the Gulf sky took about 36 hours for a round trip, after they departed from Barksdale Airport in the US state of Louisiana (south).
The B-52s are long-range strategic bombers, capable of carrying up to 70,000 pounds of weapons.
The Iranian response
On the other hand, the commander of the naval forces of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Admiral Ali Reza Tengsiri, said: “Your country firmly faces the interference of US forces in the waters of the Gulf.”
Tengsiri added that Iran would face any enemy attack on the security and stability of the region, he said.
In a related context, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said: “Your country is not ready to negotiate on its missile systems, and it previously rejected it, and now it also rejects it.”
In a press release, Zarif indicated that the return of the United States to the nuclear deal is in the interest of the American and Iranian parties.
Zadeh assassination
This US maneuver followed the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh (63 years old), known as the “godfather of the nuclear deal” on November 27, after targeting his car that was traveling near the capital, Tehran.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani described the assassination as an “Israeli trap” and promised to respond in a timely manner. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard also threatened “harsh revenge”, accusing Israel of being behind his assassination.
The assassination also comes as the first anniversary of the assassination of the commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Qassem Soleimani, approaches.
And recently, the US media circulated unconfirmed news about a possible US attack on Iran, before the end of President Donald Trump’s term on January 20.
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